Gaslighting: When Reality Becomes Negotiable
Author’s General Introduction
Propaganda is the manipulation of masses through media. In this series, we dive deep into the mechanisms of influence to understand how our perception is shaped and how we can protect ourselves from it. Each post examines a specific technique, its functionality, and practical ways to expose it.
Propaganda Technique
Gaslighting belongs to the most insidious forms of psychological manipulation in media and interpersonal communication. This technique aims to systematically undermine a person’s trust in their own perception, memory, and judgment. The term originates from the 1938 play of the same name and the 1944 film “Gaslight,” in which a man makes his wife doubt her sanity through targeted manipulation. In the media landscape, gaslighting is used to silence critical voices and establish alternative narratives that contradict the original reality.
The psychological mechanisms of gaslighting are based on the systematic distortion of information and the questioning of objective facts. Perpetrators use various strategies: They deny documented events, claim that things happened differently than remembered, or question the mental state of the victim. This technique is particularly effective when applied by authority figures or trusted sources. In media, gaslighting manifests through selective reporting, withholding important contextual information, or retrospectively reinterpreting events. Victims begin to doubt their own perception and become more receptive to alternative explanations of reality.
The effects of gaslighting are particularly devastating in political and social discourse, as they undermine the foundation of a shared factual basis. Those affected often develop learned helplessness and lose confidence in their ability to distinguish between truth and lies. To defend against gaslighting, it is crucial to document facts, consult multiple sources, and strengthen one’s critical thinking abilities. Media literacy and the ability to verify sources are indispensable tools in this process.
Application Examples
The following examples are deliberately fictional to illustrate the mechanisms without discrediting real persons or events:
Example 1 – Selective Reporting: A fictional news channel reports on a demonstration and shows exclusively images of violence while completely ignoring peaceful protests. Later, it is claimed that there were never any peaceful demonstrators, and eyewitnesses are portrayed as “confused” or “manipulated.” This technique leads the audience to doubt their own memory and accept the media portrayal as the only truth.
Example 2 – Denial of Documented Statements: A fictional politician makes a controversial statement in a live broadcast. Later, her team claims she never said that and questions the credibility of the recordings, even though they are clearly documented. Additionally, it is claimed that the media took the statement out of context or technically manipulated it.
Example 3 – Discrediting Experts: A fictional company is caught manipulating environmental data. Instead of refuting the allegations, it launches a campaign portraying scientists as “unreliable” and claiming that measurement methods are fundamentally flawed. Simultaneously, alternative “experts” are presented who make contrary claims and dismiss the original findings as “hysteria.”
Example 4 – Historical Reinterpretation: In a fictional scenario, a well-documented historical event is gradually reinterpreted. First, details are questioned, then eyewitnesses are claimed to be unreliable, and finally a completely alternative version of events is presented. Critics are labeled as “conspiracy theorists” even though they rely on established facts.
Further Reading
Hardinghaus, Christian: “War Propaganda and Media Manipulation: What You Should Know to Avoid Being Deceived” (German Edition. English Edition coming soon)
Further Information
- Stern, Robin (2018): The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulations Others Use to Control Your Life. Harmony Books.
- Sweet, Paige L. (2019): The sociology of gaslighting. American Sociological Review, 84(5), 851-875.
- Spear, Stephanie (2020): Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Psychological Oppression. In: Philosophical Perspectives on Technology and Psychiatry. Springer International Publishing.
- Carpenter, Ronda (2018): Gaslighting America: Why We Love It When Trump Lies to Us. Broadside Books.
- Sarkis, Stephanie (2018): Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People – and Break Free. Da Capo Lifelong Books.
