Gaslighting Reading

Question 1

gaslighting

Answer 1

a sane and rational survivor is convinced of their own epistemic incompetence on false pretenses by a perpetrator

Question 2

is gaslighting intentional?

Answer 2

It is unclear how intentional gaslighting is

Question 3

what is the best solution to gaslighting?

Answer 3

to end the relationship

Question 4

Four most common behaviour patterns that occurred in gaslighting relationships

Answer 4

• love-bombing
• isolating the survivor
• prepetrator unpredictability
• cold shouldering

Question 5

love-bombing

Answer 5

inappropriate expressions of affection for the relationship stage

Question 6

functions of love-bombing

Answer 6

Discounted perpetrator’s abusive behaviour, made survivors feel indebted to the perpetrator, made survivors confused about the nature of the relationship

Question 7

isolating the survivor

Answer 7

often plays out through the expression of negative opinions about members of the survivor’s social circles

Question 8

functions of isolating the survivor

Answer 8

helps perpetrators avoid accountability, results in survivors having fewer paths to fulfill social needs, contributes to survivor’s sense of “losing their grip on reality”

Question 9

perpetrator unpredictability

Answer 9

a pattern of perpetrators unpredictably changing their behaviour from one emotional extreme to the other

Question 10

function of perpetrator unpredictability

Answer 10

contributes to the target’s experience of uncertainty and confusion

Question 11

Cold shouldering (stonewalling)

Answer 11

the absence of communication

Question 12

function of cold-shouldering

Answer 12

communicates to survivors that they are out of sync with what is reasonable and controls their behaviour

Question 13

common gaslighting behaviours

Answer 13

• Insults and accusations
• Blaming
• Turning the tables

Question 14

turning the tables

Answer 14

changing the topic of conversation toward some perceived bad behaviour of the survivor

Question 15

motivations for gaslighting

Answer 15

• Avoiding accountability (ex. For infidelity)
• Control
• Mixed motivations

Question 16

Consequences of gaslighting for the survivor

Answer 16

• Diminished sense of self
• Increased guardedness
• Increased mistrust of others

Question 17

what do gaslighting survivors emphasize?

Answer 17

the importance of separation from the perpetrator, time with others, prioritizing healthier relationships, and engaging in meaningful and re-embodying activities

Question 18

demographics of gaslighting perpetrators

Answer 18

• Perpetrators of gaslighting tend to be older, Caucasian, and heterosexual males
• These demographics are associated with more social power

Question 19

material goals and gaslighting

Answer 19

Perpetrators rarely attempt to achieve some kind of explicit or material goal

Question 20

timespan of gaslighting

Answer 20

Gaslighting occurs over a relatively long timespan

Question 21

Gaslighting experience in romantic relationships (GERR) model

Answer 21

1. the relationship starts
2. gaslighting cycle
3. insight and recovery

Question 22

the relationship starts

Answer 22

gaslighting is initiated with some form of love-bombing

Question 23

gaslighting cycle

Answer 23

maintained via three, interacting, and powerful feedback loops

Question 24

3 feedback loops

Answer 24

1. Rationalization and motivation
2. Rationalization and isolation
3. Rationalization, isolation, and psychological consequences

Question 25

insight and recovery

Answer 25

begins with the realization and acceptance that their partners are gaslighters, which allows survivors to reconceptualize their perpetrator’s actions and disrupt the gaslighting cycle