Document Type : Original Research Paper
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2
M.A. in Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Electoral debates, their content, and the manner of their conduct have long attracted attention across various sectors of society, particularly among researchers, due to their lasting effects on the public. This study aims to identify psychological operations tactics and their deployment by candidates in Iran’s presidential election campaigns, employing an interdisciplinary approach. The central research question is: Which psychological operations tactics and methods did the candidates of the twelfth presidential election of Iran use against their rivals during the debates? To collect and analyze debate data, both qualitative and quantitative content analysis methods were employed. In this approach, data were purposefully gathered, categorized, and analyzed based on indicators derived from theoretical frameworks. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, political psychology serves as the theoretical framework of the study. Findings indicate that the candidates employed 45 tactics, some of which constitute psychological operations. These tactics can be categorized under two main dimensions: first, defensive–offensive tactics, and second, explanatory–demonstrative tactics. Among these, the identification and conceptualization of new tactics—such as the “I’ll tell, I’ll tell!” tactic, threats of legal action, and the use of evidence or witnesses—represent the innovative contributions of this study. The results further suggest that the debate process comprises two content layers. The primary layer is guided by more experienced figures with significant executive responsibilities, while the secondary layer is generally represented by less experienced individuals without notable executive backgrounds.
Keywords: Iran, presidential elections, debate, psychological operations, interdisciplinary
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