What is gaslighting? How to notice and address the behavior in your peers.
"Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss" is the popular meme you may have seen circulating the internet for a bit. Knowyourmeme.com states the meme’s origin comes from a 2021 Tumblr post that was making fun of “live, laugh, love.” The meme has expanded into merchandise including a viral tapestry featuring singers Taylor Swift, Lorde and Phoebe Bridgers. Wellandgood.com says the term gaslighting has been used in the world of psychology for years, but the term garnered traction around 2018. The term has been misused and some people might not know exactly when gaslighting is happening, so what is it exactly?
What is gaslighting?
According to the Newport Institute, gaslighting is a form of manipulation where the manipulator attempts to make their victim believe what’s happening to them isn’t actually happening and their reality is untrue.
The Newport Institute offers a few examples of what gaslighting is:
- Lying about or denying something and refusing to admit the lie even when you show them proof
- Insisting that an event or behavior you witnessed never happened and that you’re remembering it wrong
- Spreading rumors and gossip about you, or telling you that other people are gossiping about you
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