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'Gaslighting' is a form of psychological abuse. It uses persistent denials of fact which, as they build up over time, make the victim progressively anxious, confused, and unable to trust his or her own memory and perception.
A variation of gaslighting, used as a form of harassment, is to subtly alter aspects of a victim's environment, thereby upsetting his or her peace of mind, sense of security, etc., such as was used by the Manson Family during their "creepy crawler" burglaries during which nothing was stolen, but furniture in the house was rearranged. [1]
Undue influence is a form of gaslighting is most often used to convince an older person that they are succumbing to old age and need to be placed in a retirement home or nursing home "for their own good." This is sometimes accomplished by a series of small thefts and/or a campaign of intimidation. This is usually done by con artists or "eager heirs" who covet the elder persons possessions.^[1]

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Cultural connections

See also

References

Cultural connections

The term was coined from the 1940 film ''Gaslight'' and its 1944 remake in which changes in gas light levels are experienced several times by the main character. The classic example in the film is the character Gregory using the gas lamps in the attic, causing the rest of the lamps in the house to dim slightly; when Paula comments on the lights' dimming, she is told she is imagining things. Paula believes herself alone in the house when the dimming occurs, unaware that Gregory has entered the attic from the house next door, and is searching for jewels he believes to be hidden there. The sinister interpretation of the change in light levels is part of a larger pattern of deception to which the character Paula is subjected.
Similar events have been depicted more recently in soap operas. In ''Coronation Street'' in 2003, con-man and murderer Richard Hillman gaslighted Audrey Roberts to ensure that no one would believe her suspicions about his illegal activities. In ''Neighbours'', Elle Robinson drove Max Hoyland crazy after he caused her brother's death in a car accident. Elle stole his car, kidnapped his son Charlie, stole his football tickets, and ordered alcohol in his name. The result was that Max's friends and family, and finally Max himself, believed that he was forgetting things and losing his grip on reality.
In the 2001 movie ''Amélie'', the titular protagonist embarks on a mission to gaslight her local grocer as punishment for his cruel treatment of an intellectually impaired assistant. Amelie switches his lightbulbs with lower wattage bulbs and replaces his slippers with smaller ones, among other tricks.
On their album ''Two Against Nature'', the band Steely Dan include the song "Gaslighting Abbie" about two people conspiring to torment their room-mate.

See also

Martha Mitchell effect

References

1. An interview with Margaret Singer on Undue Influence Accessed 08-12-2007


★ Gaslighting: How to Drive Your Enemies Crazy, , Victor, Santoro, Loompanics Unlimited, , ISBN 1-55950-113-8

★ The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life, , Dr. Robin, Stern, Broadway, , ISBN 978-0767924450

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