Psychology Flashcards
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where one person or group covertly undermines another person’s perception of reality, causing them to doubt their own memory, perception, or sanity. It’s often used to gain power or control over someone and can occur in various types of relationships, including personal, familial, or professional contexts. Here’s an example to illustrate gaslighting:
Example: Domestic Relationship
In a romantic relationship, Sarah notices that her partner, Alex, frequently criticizes her and accuses her of overreacting to situations. Whenever Sarah tries to bring up concerns about Alex’s behavior, such as being disrespectful towards her friends, Alex dismisses her feelings and insists that she’s being too sensitive or imagining things. Over time, Sarah starts to doubt her own perceptions and begins to believe that maybe she is overreacting.
As the gaslighting continues, Alex might escalate by directly contradicting Sarah’s memories or experiences, manipulating situations to make Sarah doubt herself, or even outright denying events that have happened. This constant undermining of Sarah’s reality and emotions serves to weaken her self-confidence and increase her reliance on Alex’s version of events.
Gaslighting is harmful because it erodes a person’s sense of reality and self-worth, making them feel confused, anxious, and powerless. It can be subtle and insidious, making it difficult for the victim to recognize and confront. Recognizing gaslighting behavior is an important step in protecting oneself and seeking support from trusted individuals or professionals.
