Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where someone is made to question their own memory, perception, or judgment. It's like being told the sky isn't blue when you can clearly see that it is. The person being manipulated is led to doubt what they know to be true, often causing them confusion and distress.
The term "gaslighting" comes from the 1938 play "Gas Light" and its film adaptations, where a husband manipulates his wife into thinking she's losing her mind by dimming the gas lights in their home and then denying that the light has changed¹². This act of manipulation makes the wife question her own reality, which is exactly what gaslighting aims to achieve³.
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 01/07/2024
(1) Gaslighting - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslighting.
(2) Origin Of The Term Gaslighting - Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/origin ... hting.html.
(3) Gaslighting | Definition, Origins, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/gaslighting.
(4) . https://bing.com/search?q=definition+of+gaslighting.
(5) Gaslighting Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gaslighting.
(6) What Is Gaslighting? Signs and How To Respond - Cleveland Clinic Health .... https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gaslighting.
(7) undefined. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/.
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A more advanced form of gaslighting involves complex tactics that go beyond simple lies or denials. It can include:
- **Overriding reality**: Insisting that something a person remembers happening never did, or vice versa¹.
- **Strategic lying**: Telling blatant lies with confidence to make the victim doubt their own memory or perception¹.
- **Triangulation**: Bringing in the opinion of a third party to undermine the victim's feelings or thoughts².
- **Trivializing**: Making the victim feel their thoughts or needs are unimportant³.
- **Scapegoating**: Blaming the victim for things out of their control to create a sense of worthlessness³.
- **Coercion**: Using threats or subtle manipulations to force the victim into compliance³.
These tactics are often used in combination, creating an environment where the victim constantly questions their sanity and reality, leading to a significant power imbalance in the relationship⁴. It's a deeply insidious form of manipulation that can have long-term psychological effects.
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 01/07/2024
(1) How to Recognize 5 Core Tactics of Gaslighting. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... aslighting.
(2) What is Gaslighting? 20 Techniques to Stop Emotional Abuse. https://positivepsychology.com/gaslight ... nal-abuse/.
(3) What Are the Different Types of Gaslighting? - Choosing Therapy. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/types-of-gaslighting/.
(4) 7 Stages of Gaslighting in a Relationship | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... lationship.