Gaslighting, a term for the act of grossly misleading someone for personal advantage, has gained popularity in recent years. It originated from a 1938 play and movie where a man tries to make his wife believe she is going insane. Gaslighting involves psychological manipulation over an extended period, leading to confusion, loss of confidence, and dependency on the perpetrator. The term has evolved to include broader forms of deception and manipulation in personal and political contexts. Gaslighting is used to describe lies that are part of a larger plan and is applicable to various fields, including medicine and climate change. With the increase in channels and technologies used to mislead, gaslighting has become a commonly used term to describe deception in the modern age.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaslighting on the rise | From low awareness to increased recognition | Gaslighting awareness and recognition will continue to grow | Increased prevalence of misinformation and deception |
| Gaslighting in personal and political contexts | Expanded use of the term “gaslighting” | Gaslighting will be used to describe lies in personal and political contexts | Growing recognition of manipulation and deception in various contexts |
| Gaslighting as a buzzword | Gaslighting as a commonly used term | Gaslighting will continue to be used as a buzzword | Increased awareness and familiarity with the term |
| Gaslighting used to describe deception in various forms | Broadening definition of gaslighting | Gaslighting will be used to describe deception in multiple contexts | Increasing complexity and diversity of deceptive practices |
| Gaslighting as Word of the Year | Recognition of gaslighting as a significant issue | Gaslighting will be acknowledged as a major concern | Heightened awareness and concern about deception and manipulation |