This paper investigates the film Anatomy of a Fall through Lacanian psychoanalysis of subjects to reevaluate gender identity. Delving into the internal conflicts within the subjects, the authors reveal the illusion of subjectivity and the ideological operation of gender discourse. The analysis begins by critiquing two dominant feminist interpretations of the film: re-centralization, which attempts to invert traditional gender hierarchies, and essentialism, which assumes a fixed, inherent femininity. These perspectives, the authors argue, are limited in their understanding of gender identity, which is the signifier constructed by the symbolic order. By applying Lacan’s theories on the formation of the subject, the paper demonstrates how the film’s subjects are captured by the discourse of gender and experience the collapse of their subjectivity. The discussion further positions gender identity as a product of ideological discipline, which conceals the subject’s inherent lack and incompleteness. Through this deconstructive approach, the paper proposes a potential path toward a transcendental subjectivity that transcends the constraints of traditional gender roles and ideological frameworks. Ultimately, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of how ideology shapes and limits identity, offering insights into the possibilities for resisting and reimagining subjectivity within contemporary gender discourse.

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From the perspective of evolutionary psychology, the social function of music is widely recognized. To explore the background, condition, and causes in the process of music triggering individual social identity, based on the review of previous literature, this paper proposes three main mechanisms: emotional resonance, physiological activation, and interactive exchange. Three paths respectively: first, music makes people share common emotions, and then feel a sense of belonging in a specific social group; second, people perceive music can bring a consistent physiological response and reach group synchronization; third, people's participation in a music work that to be completed is like a hypothetical N-person switching system, and can build social bonds with others. In general, this paper argues that music can trigger social identity through the above three interactive mechanisms, and provide more clues about the connection between social identity’s foundation and the music field, expanding to larger impacts, results, and possible use.

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The essay explores how to deconstruct gender stereotypes by looking at gender representations in marriage and the juridical system through a film analysis of Anatomy of a Fall. The film won the Palme d'Or award at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in 2023; it narrates the female protagonist Sandra's denial of the accusation of murdering her husband and the reclamation of her subjectivity in the trial. The aim of the article is to expose the film’s subversive representation of gender roles as intertwined with Sandra breaking the traditional binary gender stereotypes prescribed by patriarchal society. The essay uses a contextual analysis approach, by analyzing the films’ cinematic elements, such as narrative structure, cinematography, and editing. Besides, the essay also draws thearetical insight from Laura Mulvey and Beauvoir. The first finding of the essay is that the representation of the juridical system symbolizes the societal power system, which reinforces the stereotypes towards women; the second finding is that Sandra shows women’s the refusal of male gaze and gender performativity. This essay elucidates how Anatomy of a Fall effectively subverts gender stereotypes, contributing to a nuanced understanding of power dynamics and gender roles in western society. Furthermore, its significance underscores the film's approach to challenge the entrenched societal norms and promote feminist ideals.

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Otome games have gained popularity among women, offering a space to fulfill their emotional and romantic desires. This study explores how playing Otome games may reduce single women’s interest in real-life romantic relationships through the lens of evolutionary psychology. We designed a study with 200 single Chinese women aged 18-35 who have not previously played Otome games, to play an Otome game called Love and Deepspace for three months and we will record their gaming time and monetary expenditure. The study aims to test the hypothesis that increased engagement in Otome games, measured by time and money spent, negatively correlates with participants’ interests in real-life romantic relationships. Our research examines how supernormal stimuli—idealized traits in virtual romantic partners—appeal to female mating preferences, contributing to an evolutionary mismatch. This mismatch may have significant implications for how modern virtual dating experiences shape romantic behaviors, with potential effects on societal trends such as declining interest in real-life romantic relationships.

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