Gaslighting 101

The biggest issue with gaslighting is its subtlety. For example, how expressing grievances over a given situation can be misconstrued into signs of aggression or hate. Similar to how the majority of protests are peaceful, mass gatherings are still labeled as problematic because of preconceptions and stereotypes held over specific demographics. Mostly due to the constant attention given to extremist outliers in various forms of media; legitimate concerns then become indistinguishable from fundamentalist viewpoints, muddying the issue beyond recognition in the eyes of the general public.

It can also be seen online, where the metadata can be easily manipulated by those in charge of various digital systems. Exercising unfettered control over the algorithms by setting parameters to trigger an emotional response from various users to help portray them in a certain light, regardless of content restrictions individual users might have placed on their profile. But like any other form of gaslighting, it is subtle but institutional at its core. Layered beneath the constant bombardment of socioeconomic/global issues, and easily overlooked by anyone who isn’t paying attention to the gradual and minute changes being made over a period of time. Exploiting those lacking basic knowledge of a complex digital infrastructure, typicallly unfamiliar to the layman.

~Institutional gaslighting

This type of gaslighting can occur at any company or organization. The organization may deny or hide information to make themselves look good and lie to employees about their rights.

This could occur when someone may come forward to expose the institution for any wrongdoing.

The whistle-blower could be portrayed by the institution as irrationally overreacting to normal interactions, leading them to doubt their own perceptions and mental state (Ahern, 2018)~ Quote on institutional gaslighting cited from simple psychology article:

https://www.simplypsychology.org/what-is-gaslighting.html