Gaslighting
Definition and Overview
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity. Using denial, misdirection, contradiction, and misinformation, gaslighting involves attempts to destabilize the victim and delegitimize the victim's beliefs.
Instances may range from the denial by an abuser that previous abusive incidents ever occurred, up to the staging of bizarre events by the abuser with the intention of disorienting the victim. The term owes its origin to a 1938 play Gas Light and its 1944 film adaptation. The term has been used in clinical and research literature, as well as in political commentary.
Origins and Etymology
The term "gaslighting" originates from the British play "Gas Light" written by Patrick Hamilton in 1938, and performed on stage in London. The play was adapted into film twice, in 1940 and 1944, with the latter version being more well-known. The plot of the play and the films revolve around a husband who attempts to convince his wife and others that she is insane by manipulating small elements of their environment and insisting that she is mistaken, remembering things incorrectly, or delusional when she points out these changes.
The title stems from the husband's subtle dimming of the house's gas lights, which he pretends not to notice, in an effort to make his wife doubt her own perceptions. The term "gaslighting" has been used colloquially since at least the 1960s to describe efforts to manipulate someone's sense of reality.
Clinical Understanding
In a clinical context, gaslighting can be seen as a form of psychological abuse or coercive control, where the abuser manipulates the victim into doubting their own sanity, perception, or memory. This can lead to the victim becoming dependent on the abuser for their sense of reality, or developing a distorted sense of their own self-worth.
Gaslighting can occur in personal relationships, at the workplace, or over an entire society. It can be either conscious or unconscious, and is often carried out by individuals with narcissistic or antisocial personality traits.
Techniques and Tactics
Gaslighting techniques are used to make the victim question their reality. These may range from simple denial by the abuser that certain events have occurred, to the staging of elaborate events that disorientate the victim. The following are some of the specific tactics used by those who gaslight:
- Countering: This involves the abuser questioning the victim's memory of events, even when the victim remembers them accurately.
- Withholding: The abuser pretends not to understand or refuses to listen to the victim's concerns.
- Trivializing: The abuser makes the victim's needs or feelings seem unimportant.
- Forgetting/Denial: The abuser pretends to have forgotten what actually occurred or denies things like promises made to the victim.
Impact on Victims
The impact of gaslighting on victims can be devastating, leading to confusion, anxiety, depression, and even a sense of hopelessness. Victims may come to doubt their own memory, perception, and sanity, and may also experience a sense of guilt and self-blame for what is happening to them. Over time, victims of gaslighting can become overly dependent on the abuser for their sense of reality, which can make it extremely difficult for them to leave the abusive situation.
In Society and Culture
Gaslighting has been observed and analyzed in various societal and cultural contexts, including in politics, the media, and in relationships. It is often used as a way to exert control and power, and can be a common tactic used by dictators, political leaders, and other figures of authority.
In popular culture, gaslighting is often depicted in film, television, and literature, serving as a plot device to create tension and conflict. The term has also been used in political commentary, particularly in the context of political propaganda and media manipulation.