Gaslight is a word that occupies a massive space in the vocabulary of Gen-Z kids. However, despite sounding like a generational along, the word has a deep-rooted history that most people are unaware of. The word ‘gaslighting’ was derived from the word ‘gaslight.’
The first recorded use of the word is in the movies. Filmmaker George Cukor directed a psychological thriller called ‘Gaslight.’ The term eventually became gaslighting. After being out of the conversation for a while, it returned in the 2010s. In 2022, Merriam-Webster declared ‘gaslighting’ as its word of the year for 2022. Stay on this post to learn more about his word’s history and the broader disciplines it has come to be a part of.
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Where Did The Term ‘Gaslighting’ Come From?
Gaslighting has the 1944 movie to thank for its origin. Directed by George Cukor, ‘Gaslight’ starred Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, and Joseph Cotten in the film. The film was a remake of a similar titled British movie from 1940. The movies were based on the 1938 set play ‘Gaslight,’ set in the Victorian Era.
‘Gaslight’ follows the wife being led to question her reality by a scheming husband. Through lies and psychological manipulation, he seeks to isolate his heiress wife. Although the term ‘gaslighting’ never appears in the movie or the screenplay, the subtext of such behavior acquired a definable term.
After being absent from the lexicon for a while, its use saw a resurgence in the 2010s. It’s now a commonly used term to describe a particular kind of behavior where people use the means of constant lying and psychological entrapment to break others. In 2022, Merriam-Webster declared ‘gaslighting’ as the word of the year.
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How Does Psychology Define ‘Gaslighting’?
Since its inception, the word has developed with much broader associations. The term has been used in psychoanalytic literature to describe deliberate attempts by perpetrators to manipulate the victims’ perception of self, environment, and relationships since the 1970s.
Theo L. Dorpat wrote a 1996 book titled ‘Gaslighting, the Double Whammy, Interrogation and Other Methods of Covert Control in Psychotherapy and Analysis’ as a guide for treating patients with non-directive methods.
Gaslighting has become a term to define dynamics in a relationship where one party is relentlessly pushing their false narrative while denying the reality of the situation to avoid blame. Often done by manipulating the party to feel in charge, it can lead to the person on the other side of the relationship experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and low self-esteem.
Let’s take this moment to remember that help is available; all you have to do is ask. There are plenty of sources and informative articles available that will help you spot the enormous red flag and avoid being with someone who makes you question your self-worth.
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