The term “Gaslighting”, previously known to a limited audience, has recently gained immense traction. It owes its surge in popularity to becoming Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year in 2022. The word has experienced a whopping 1,740% increase in searches on the Merriam-Webster’s website, hinting at its prominence in the current times.
Understanding Gaslighting
Merriam-Webster defines gaslighting as a psychological manipulation tactic used over an extended period. It leads the victim to question their thoughts, reality perception, and memories. The process results in confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of emotional or mental stability, and enhanced dependency on the perpetrator. It is primarily a power play, with the abuser exploiting various stereotypes or vulnerabilities related to gender, sexuality, race, nationality, and class.
Origin of the Term ‘Gaslighting’
The term “Gaslighting” traces its roots back to a 1938 play titled “Gas Light” by Patrick Hamilton. The plot revolves around a husband trying to convince his wife that she is losing her sanity.
Impact on Mental Health
Intended to incite self-doubt and uncertainty, gaslighting negatively impacts victims’ mental health. Its victims may suffer from anxiety, depression, disorientation, and lowered self-esteem.
Identifying the Signs of Gaslighting
Typical signs of gaslighting include feelings of surrealness, accusations of exaggeration, confusion, and powerlessness, and social isolation. Abusers often use tactics like tone policing, flipping the blame, and alternating between abuse and praise to manipulate their targets.
Significance of Gaslighting in Today’s World
In an era rife with misinformation, gaslighting has become a widely recognized term. It finds relevance in various spheres such as gender issues, medicine, societal constructs, legal systems, workplace dynamics, and politics.
Gaslighting in the Era of Misinformation
Fraught with fake news, conspiracy theories, Twitter trolls, and deep fakes, today’s world offers diverse avenues for gaslighting.
Gender and Medicine-Related Gaslighting
Women often face gaslighting in medical scenarios, primarily due to stereotypes questioning their rationality. Public or collective gaslighting is also common, leading women to second-guess themselves due to widely shared statements on social media.
Gaslighting of Transgender People
Gaslighters may attempt to convince transgender people that they are mentally unstable, highlighting another severe issue related to gaslighting.
Legal and Racial Gaslighting
The legal system can become a hotbed of gaslighting when abusers control narratives and manipulate stories, drawing on stereotypes about women being irrational and aggressive. Additionally, systemic processes perpetuating white supremacist reality through pathologizing resistors exemplify racial gaslighting.
Gaslighting in the Workplace and Politics
Workplace gaslighting occurs when individuals in power positions cause others to question their abilities, negatively impacting their careers. Similarly, in modern politics, gaslighting is a frequently used tactic to divert public discourse and manipulate opinion.
