What is gaslighting?
Quick Answer
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which someone makes another person doubt their own memory, perception or sanity.
The Full Story
The term comes from Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 play Gas Light and its famous 1944 film version, Gaslight, in which a husband dims the gas lamps and then insists his wife is imagining it. Gaslighters deny things that happened, twist facts, and suggest the victim is too sensitive or confused. Over time the target may feel anxious, isolated and dependent on the manipulator for the truth. It can occur in relationships, families, workplaces and politics. Merriam-Webster named gaslighting its Word of the Year for 2022 after searches for it jumped by 1,740 percent.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"The Movie That Gave Us Gaslighting — And How to Spot It"