Gaslighting

The term gaslighting originates from psychology. This term defines a type of psychological violence in which people deliberately manipulate the self-perception of another person and unsettles them to such an extent that they can no longer distinguish between truth and appearance.

In a political context, this term describes a strategy pursued by political stakeholders of presenting obvious lies as the truth in order to deflect attention from their own person or to discredit their opponents. This can lead to victim blaming. (cf. IDA-NRW)