gaslight

Gaslight is a term used to describe a form of psychological manipulation in which a person or group causes another to doubt their perceptions, memory, or reality. The tactic is typically gradual and covert, aiming to undermine the target’s confidence and sense of sanity. Gaslighting can occur in intimate relationships, workplaces, families, and broader social or political contexts, and it is commonly discussed in discussions of emotional abuse and coercive control.

Origins and etymology

The term originates from Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 play Gas Light (also known as Gas Light). In the story, a husband manipulates his wife by denying obvious changes in their environment, such as the gas lights, and by misrepresenting events, with the aim of making her doubt her own perceptions. The play was later adapted into the 1940 British film Gaslight and the 1944 American film Gaslight. The latter, widely seen in popular culture, contributed to the modern sense of the term; Ingrid Bergman won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the 1944 film.

In practice and impact

Common gaslighting tactics include denying or trivializing the victim’s experiences, withholding information, twisting facts, and presenting false evidence to induce confusion. Over time, these actions can erode the target’s self-trust and independence, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, and dependency. Gaslighting is discussed in clinical, legal, and advocacy contexts as a form of psychological abuse and control, though it is not a formal clinical diagnosis in itself.

Cultural usage

Today, gaslighting is widely used to describe manipulative dynamics in personal relationships, workplaces, media, and politics. The term serves as a shorthand for patterns of doubt-inducing manipulation, while the underlying practices are analyzed within psychology and social discourse.