What is the definition of gaslighting?

Beginners

'Gaslighting' is a term used to describe a specific type of manipulation that makes someone question their own sanity or perception of reality. If someone is gaslighting you, they might deny something you know to be true or insist that something that happened didn't actually happen. It can be a form of emotional abuse and can be very harmful.

Intermediate

Gaslighting is when someone manipulates or controls another person by making them doubt their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It is a form of emotional abuse that often involves lying, withholding information, and gradually making the victim question their own judgment and sanity. This can be done in many different ways, such as denying something that really happened, asserting that something that didn't happen actually did, or manipulating situations to make the victim feel like they are going crazy. The term "gaslighting" comes from an old movie in which a man manipulates his wife by dimming the gas lights and then insisting that she is imagining things when she notices the change.

Advanced

Gaslighting is a form of emotional and psychological abuse in which an individual manipulates another person into doubting their own sanity, memory, and perception of reality. The gaslighter will use a combination of lies, denial, and distortion to confuse and disorient the person being gaslit, ultimately causing them to question their own thoughts and beliefs. This insidious form of abuse can have long-term effects on a person's mental health and relationships, often leaving them feeling powerless and isolated.