IntroductiontoDarkPsychologyDr Mayurika Das BiswasAndStudy GlowsorBy Tate Topics ofDiscussion1.Manipulation Techniques2.Persuasion and Influence3.Dark Personalities4.Mind Games5.Cognitive Biases6.Cults and Brainwashing7.How to resist Dark Psychology8.Assessment and FAQ Topics ofDiscussion•Gaslighting•Guilt-Tripping•EmotionalManipulation•Isolation•Love Bombing ● Gaslighting is a form of psychologicalmanipulation and emotional abuse inwhich one person seeks to undermineanother person's perception of reality,causing them to doubt their ownmemory, judgment, and sanity. • The term "gaslighting" originated from a play called "GasLight" and its subsequent film adaptations, where a husbandsystematically manipulated his wife into believing she wasgoing insane by dimming the gas lights in their house anddenying that anything had changed.• The manipulator undermines the victim's perception of reality,making them doubt their own thoughts, feelings, and sanity.This can involve distorting facts, denying events, or invalidatingthe victim's experiences to gain control and power over them. People may engagein gaslighting forvarious reasons,including: •Gaslighters aim to exert control over theirvictims by undermining their sense ofreality, making them doubt theirperceptions, thoughts, and memories. Thiscontrol can be used to manipulate thevictim's behavior and emotions.Control: •Gaslighters often have low self-esteemthemselves and may try to boost theirown self-worth by diminishing others. Bymaking their victims doubt themselves,gaslighters can feel superior and incontrol.Self-esteem: •In relationships where there is animbalance of power, such as abusiverelationships, gaslighting can be a way forthe more dominant person to maintaincontrol and prevent the other person fromchallenging their authority.Power dynamics: •Gaslighters may employ this tactic tomanipulate the emotions of their victims.By making them question their own sanity,they can create a sense of dependencyand vulnerability in the victim, making iteasier to exploit them emotionally.Emotional manipulation: •In some cases, individuals may engagein gaslighting as a defence mechanism.They might feel threatened by theother person's opinions or actions andresort to gaslighting to protectthemselves or avoid accountability.Defence mechanism: • It's important to note that gaslighting is a form of emotional abuseand can have severe consequences for the victim's mental healthand well-being.• If you suspect that you or someone you know is being gaslighted,it's crucial to seek support from trusted friends, family, orprofessionals who can provide guidance and assistance. Examples ofgaslightingtechniques: Denial and dismissal:Gaslighters may deny or dismiss theirvictim's experiences, emotions, or concerns.They might say things like, "You'reoverreacting," "That never happened," or"You're just being sensitive." Blatant lying:Gaslighters often lie about past events orconversations, creating a distorted versionof reality. They might deny making promises,alter details of previous incidents, orfabricate information to confuse the victim. Withholding information:Gaslighters may selectively withholdinformation to manipulate the victim'sperception of reality. They mightconveniently "forget" to mention certainevents or conversations, leading the victimto question their own memory orunderstanding of the situation. Twisting the truth:Gaslighters may distort the truth andmanipulate facts to suit their narrative. Theymight reinterpret conversations,misrepresent the intentions of the victim, orattribute false motives to confuse anddisorient them. Projection:Gaslighters often project their own negativetraits, behaviors, or feelings onto theirvictims. By accusing the victim of the verythings they themselves are doing, they shiftthe blame and make the victim doubt theirown character. Invalidating emotions:Gaslighters may belittle or invalidate thevictim's emotions, making them feel asthough their feelings are unreasonable orunwarranted. They might say things like,"You're just being dramatic" or "You're toosensitive." Creating confusion:Gaslighters aim to create confusion anduncertainty in their victims. They mightchange their stance, contradict themselves,or use manipulative tactics that make itdifficult for the victim to grasp what is realor true. Isolation:Gaslighters often try to isolate their victimsfrom support systems, such as friends andfamily, by spreading rumors or underminingtheir relationships. This isolation makes thevictim more dependent on the gaslighterand less likely to seek help or validation. Deception and Lying:This can involve withholding information,spreading false rumors, or presenting adistorted version of reality to serve theirown interests. • It's important to be aware of these tactics andrecognize when you may be experiencing gaslighting.• Trusting your own perceptions, seeking support fromtrusted individuals, and setting boundaries can help indealing with gaslighters and protecting your well-being. Doubting your ownperception:Gaslighting often makes you question yourown memory, perception, or judgment.You may find yourself constantly second-guessing your thoughts and actions." Feeling confused anddisorientedGaslighters aim to create confusion andmake you feel uncertain about what is realor true. They may contradict themselves,change their story, or give inconsistentinformation, leaving you feeling disoriented. Apologizing and feelingguiltyGaslighters often make you feel responsiblefor their behavior or the problems in therelationship. You may find yourselfapologizing frequently, even when youhaven't done anything wrong. Losing self-confidenceGaslighting erodes your self-esteem andconfidence over time. The gaslighter mayconsistently criticize and belittle you, makingyou doubt your abilities, worth, orattractiveness. Isolation from supportsystemsGaslighters may try to isolate you fromfriends, family, or other sources of support.They may discourage or undermine yourrelationships, making you more dependenton them for validation and guidance. Blaming yourselfGaslighters shift blame onto you and makeyou feel responsible for their behavior. Theymay make you believe that their actions area result of your shortcomings or mistakes. Feeling like you're goingcrazyGaslighting can lead to a sense of unrealityor feeling like you're losing your mind. Theconstant manipulation and denial of yourexperiences can cause significant emotionaldistress. Gaslighting in differentcontextsGaslighting can occur in various settings, such asrelationships, workplaces, or even in broadersocietal or political contexts. The tactics anddynamics may differ, but the goal remains thesame—to undermine your perception of reality. Recognize that your feelingsand perceptions are valid.Trust your instincts andintuition, even if thegaslighter tries to make youdoubt them. Remind yourselfthat you have a right to yourown thoughts and emotions.Trustyourinstincts Reach out to trusted friends,family members, or a supportnetwork who can providevalidation and perspective.Share your experiences andconcerns with someone whocan offer a listening ear andsupport you emotionally.Seeksupport