Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a psychological manipulation tactic where an individual or group seeks to make someone doubt their own perception of reality. This form of psychological abuse can occur in various relationships, including personal, familial, and professional contexts. Perpetrators distort information, deny events, or insist that victims are overreacting, gradually undermining the victim's confidence in their own memory and judgment. The term originates from the 1938 play "Gas Light," where a husband deceives his wife into believing she is losing her sanity.
Gaslighting can start subtly but may escalate over time, leading victims to feel increasingly confused and vulnerable. This manipulation often results in victims idealizing their abusers, further entrenching their dependence. Signs of gaslighting include accusations of being too sensitive and vehement denials from the perpetrator, which can diminish the victim's self-worth and lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Overcoming gaslighting involves recognizing one's legitimate perceptions and, if necessary, seeking professional help to alter the dynamics of the relationship. The term has also been applied in political contexts, notably during the presidency of Donald Trump, where critics accused him of distorting facts to create alternative realities.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Gaslighting
In psychology, gaslighting is a manipulative maneuver used to deceive people into questioning their perception of reality. It is a form of psychological abuse. A perpetrator confuses an individual by distorting information and causing victims to doubt their memory and sanity. Victims no longer trust their own judgment.
Gaslighting can happen in relationships, friendships, between family members, and in the workplace. The maneuver starts small and escalates over time. Tactics range from spinning falsehoods, making strong assertions, and offering indignant denials.
Gaslighting is often associated with domestic abuse; however, the term has also taken on a political context.
Overview
Gaslighting takes its name from the 1938 play Gas Light by Patrick Hamilton and its two 1940s film adaptations, especially 1944's Gaslight, which starred Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer.
Boyer plays Gregory Anton, a devious husband who makes his devoted wife, Paula (Bergman), think she is losing her mind through a variety of tactics. Most famously, Gregory dims the flames on the gaslights in their home and then denies it happened when Paula says she saw them flickering.
Gaslighting can be conscious or unconscious. Perpetrators attempt to control their victims by making them doubt themselves. Victims often idealize perpetrators and seek their approval. As the perpetrator exploits the victim, the victim becomes vulnerable. When victims are unable to trust their senses, they abide by the perpetrators' judgment, giving abusers the power they seek.
There are several ways to gaslight someone. An abuser lies about events or selectively omits information, confusing the victim. Perpetrators may tell victims they are imagining things, or they may skew details surrounding facts.
Gaslighting can start small, such as when a victim is accused of overreacting. For example, an employee complains to her boss about being left out of meetings, and the boss tells her she is too sensitive.
Perpetrators may make assertions so adamant that victims question their own perspective. For example, after a man gives directions to a female traveler, his wife insists he was flirting.
When confronted by victims, abusers may make vehement denials. A wife accuses her husband of having an affair, but the husband becomes angry and calls his wife crazy. Perpetrators may also shame or guilt victims.
Gaslighting erodes a victim's self-worth. Victims can become depressed, constantly second-guessing themselves. They may stop talking about the relationship and cut themselves off from loved ones. They may not recognize themselves anymore.
Victims can overcome gaslighting by realizing their perceptions are legitimate. They can work on changing the dynamic of the dysfunctional relationship, which may mean ending it. Victims should consider seeking psychological help.
In the late twentieth century, gaslighting gained prominence in news articles and advice columns about domestic abuse.
The term was used in politics for the first time in 1995. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd used "gaslighting" to describe the Bill Clinton administration's attempts to irritate House Speaker Newt Gingrich through a series of slights.
In 2017, President Donald Trump was accused of gaslighting in the media by his propensity to present falsehoods as fact. Despite losing the popular vote, Trump said he won the 2016 presidential election by a "landslide." In January 2017, Trump said 1 million to 1.5 million people attended his inauguration, while photographs and media estimates placed the count closer to 250,000. Some claimed Trump and his political team continued to use gaslighting during their successful 2024 presidential campaign as well. An example included playing down and offering an alternative viewpoint of the events of January 6, 2021. This is just one instance of Trump and his team's reliance on campaign tactics involving crafting alternate realities that challenge established facts and perceptions, which led to accusations of gaslighting from critics.
Bibliography
Dorpat, Theodore L. Crimes of Punishment: America's Culture of Violence. Algora Publishing, 2007.
Dowd, Maureen. "Liberties; The Gaslight Strategy." New York Times, 26 Nov. 1995, www.nytimes.com/1995/11/26/opinion/l-liberties-the-gaslight-strategy-066192.html. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Fox, Maggie. "Some Experts Say Trump Team's Falsehoods Are Classic 'Gaslighting.'" NBC News, 25 Jan. 2017, www.nbcnews.com/better/wellness/some-experts-say-trump-team-s-falsehoods-are-classic-gaslighting-n711021. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Gibson, Caitlin. "What We Talk about When We Talk about Donald Trump and 'Gaslighting.'" Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-donald-trump-and-gaslighting/2017/01/27/b02e6de4-e330-11e6-ba11-63c4b4fb5a63‗story.html?utm‗term=.6a942a86221f. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
“Harris Charges Trump with ‘Gaslighting’ Americans at UW-La Crosse Rally.” Battleground Wisconsin, 17 Oct. 2024, www.wispolitics.com/2024/harris-charges-trump-with-gaslighting-americans-at-uw-la-crosse-rally. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Howard, Laken. "Why You Need To Know About Gaslighting." Bustle, 17 Nov. 2015, www.bustle.com/articles/122539-why-gaslighting-is-a-form-of-abuse-you-need-to-know-about. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Simon, George. "Gaslighting as a Manipulation Tactic: What It Is, Who Does It, and Why." Counselling Resource, 8 Nov. 2011, counsellingresource.com/features/2011/11/08/gaslighting. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Stern, Robin. "Are You Being Gaslighted?" Psychology Today, 19 May 2009, www.psychologytoday.com/blog/power-in-relationships/200905/are-you-being-gaslighted. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Stern, Robin. The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life. Morgan Road Books, 2007.
Watts, Jay. "The Archers Domestic Abuse Is Classic 'Gaslighting' – Very Real, Little Understood." Guardian, 5 Apr. 2016, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/05/the-archers-domestic-abuse-gaslighting-sanity-abusive-relationship. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Wright, Mary. "Gaslighting—How to Spot Psychological Manipulation—3 Sneaky Ways Psychopaths Rely On." Curious Mind Magazine, curiousmindmagazine.com/gaslighting-spot-psychological-manipulation-3-sneaky-ways-psychopaths-rely. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.