Futures

Gaslighting: The Rise of a Term Reflecting Modern Deception and Misinformation, (from page 20221204.)

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Themes

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Summary

Gaslighting, a term that has gained significant attention in recent years, refers to the psychological manipulation that causes individuals to doubt their perceptions, memories, and sanity. Originating from a 1938 play and its film adaptation, the term has evolved to encompass both personal and political contexts, describing broader acts of deception for personal gain. The 2022 spike in usage (1740% increase) highlights its relevance amidst the rise of misinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories. Gaslighting is now commonly applied in various situations, including medical contexts and corporate accountability, reflecting a growing cultural awareness of manipulation and deceit.

Signals

name description change 10-year driving-force relevancy
Increase in Gaslighting Awareness 2022 saw a 1740% increase in lookups for the term ‘gaslighting’. Shift from obscure psychological term to widely recognized concept in everyday language. In 10 years, gaslighting may be a common term in mental health discussions and media literacy education. Growing awareness of mental health issues and the impact of misinformation on society. 5
Medical Gaslighting Phenomenon Patients are increasingly using the term ‘medical gaslighting’ to describe dismissive treatment by doctors. Change in patient-doctor relationships, with patients demanding better acknowledgment of their symptoms. Healthcare may become more patient-centered, with increased accountability for medical professionals. The rise of patient advocacy and awareness of medical discrimination. 4
Gaslighting in Political Discourse Politicians are labeled as ‘gaslighting’ the public regarding climate change and other issues. Political rhetoric is increasingly scrutinized for manipulation and deception. Political communication may evolve to be more transparent and accountable to public scrutiny. Public demand for honesty and integrity in political communication. 5
Broader Definition of Gaslighting Gaslighting has evolved to encompass any gross misleading for personal advantage. Expansion from a psychological concept to a broader societal issue. Society may develop a more critical understanding of various forms of manipulation in communication. The proliferation of social media and misinformation technologies. 4
Cultural Adoption of Buzzwords Terms like ‘gaslighting’ are increasingly used in casual conversations and media. Language is evolving to incorporate psychological concepts into everyday vernacular. The language around mental health might be more prevalent in everyday discussions, impacting social norms. Increased cultural emphasis on mental health awareness and emotional intelligence. 3

Concerns

name description relevancy
Rise of Misinformation The proliferation of fake news, conspiracy theories, and social media manipulation is eroding public trust and reality perception. 5
Psychological Manipulation Increasing instances of gaslighting as a form of psychological manipulation that damages mental health and personal relationships. 5
Medical Gaslighting Patients feeling dismissed due to psychological manipulation by healthcare professionals, affecting their treatment and mental well-being. 4
Corporate Deception Big Oil and other corporations misleading the public about their environmental commitments, causing distrust and hindering climate action. 5
Technological Misuse The rise of deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation exacerbating gaslighting and manipulative practices in both personal and political contexts. 5

Behaviors

name description relevancy
Increased Awareness of Gaslighting A significant rise in public understanding and usage of the term gaslighting as a descriptor for manipulation and deception. 5
Medical Gaslighting Patients increasingly using the term to describe experiences where their symptoms are dismissed or trivialized by healthcare professionals. 4
Political Gaslighting The application of gaslighting in political contexts, where organizations mislead the public about their actions or intentions. 5
Colloquial Use of Psychological Terms Broader adoption of psychological terminology in everyday conversations, indicating a growing cultural awareness of mental health issues. 3
Misinformation as a Social Concern The recognition of misinformation, including fake news and deepfakes, as a significant issue influencing public perception and trust. 5
Cultural Reinterpretation of Language Language evolving to reflect modern issues, with traditional terms like gaslighting gaining new meanings in contemporary discourse. 4

Technologies

name description relevancy
Deepfake technology Artificial intelligence-based technology to create realistic fake videos or audio recordings that can mislead viewers. 5
Artificial Intelligence in misinformation The use of AI systems to generate or spread misleading information, affecting public perception and trust. 5
Social media manipulation tools Technological tools and platforms that facilitate the spread of misinformation and gaslighting through social media. 4
Medical gaslighting awareness tools Platforms or technologies that help patients report and share experiences of being dismissed or misled in medical contexts. 3

Issues

name description relevancy
Rise of Gaslighting in Society The term gaslighting has gained significant traction, indicating a widespread issue of psychological manipulation and misinformation in personal and political contexts. 5
Impact of Misinformation on Mental Health The prevalence of misinformation and gaslighting contributes to mental health issues, such as confusion, loss of self-esteem, and emotional instability. 4
Medical Gaslighting Patients are increasingly using the term to describe their experiences of being dismissed by healthcare professionals, highlighting a systemic issue in medical practice. 4
Corporate Gaslighting Corporations, particularly in industries like Big Oil, are accused of misleading the public about their environmental impact, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. 4
Cultural Shift in Language The evolving use of the term gaslighting reflects a cultural shift in recognizing and discussing psychological manipulation and deception in various contexts. 3