Gaslighting
Noun (informal)
Pronunciation
GAS-lyte-ing
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)
/ˈɡæsˌlaɪtɪŋ/
Lexicographic Status
Oxford English Dictionary entry.
Definition
Gaslighting refers to a form of psychological manipulation in which a person attempts to cause another individual to question their perception of reality, memory, or judgement.
The behaviour may involve denying events that occurred, contradicting facts, dismissing another person’s experiences, or repeatedly suggesting that their understanding of situations is incorrect.
Over time, this pattern of behaviour can lead the targeted person to doubt their own perceptions or feel increasingly uncertain about their interpretation of events.
Origin of the Term
The term gaslighting originates from the 1938 stage play Gas Light by Patrick Hamilton and its later film adaptations. In the story, a husband manipulates his wife by dimming the gas lights in their home and moving objects while insisting that nothing has changed, causing her to question her perception of reality.
The term later entered psychological and cultural discussions to describe similar patterns of manipulation in relationships.
Cultural Context
Gaslighting became widely used in discussions of psychological manipulation and relationship dynamics, particularly in conversations about emotional abuse and controlling behaviour.
The term gained broader cultural visibility through media coverage, social commentary, and online discussions about interpersonal relationships, particularly during the 2010s and early 2020s.
Related Terms
Love Bombing
Future Faking
Ghosting
Breadcrumbing
Sources
Oxford English Dictionary
Psychology Today
Britannica
Cultural commentary on modern relationship behaviour
Related Terms in The Women’s Archive
Love Bombing
Future Faking
Ghosting
Breadcrumbing
Situationship
Emotional Labour
