New Model Explores How Gaslighters Manipulate Through Learning Processes

Gaslighting, a manipulation tactic where an individual causes another to doubt their own perception or reality, can affect anyone trusting the wrong person, according to recent research from McGill University. Willis Klein, a Ph.D. candidate in Psychology, along with a team from McGill and the University of Toronto, has developed a new theoretical framework to better understand how gaslighters succeed in making their targets question their sense of reality over time.

Although gaslighting has gained widespread attention in public discourse in recent years, it has lacked thorough scientific investigation. Klein's research introduces the idea that gaslighting can be viewed as a form of learning, specifically through the lens of prediction error minimization (PEM). PEM explains how the brain constructs mental models based on incoming information, strives to predict future experiences, and adjusts expectations accordingly. Traditional analyses of gaslighting often relied on psychodynamic theories, but these approaches are less common in contemporary North American psychology.

The research paper, titled "A Theoretical Framework for Studying the Phenomenon of Gaslighting," published in the Personality and Social Psychology Review, posits that gaslighting involves exploiting the natural learning process. Gaslighters behave in ways that defy expectations, surprising the target. They then suggest that any inconsistency or surprise is due to the target’s flawed perception of reality, creating a sense of epistemic incompetence. This repeated pattern helps the targeted individual internalize the belief that they cannot reliably interpret reality.

A key aspect of the model emphasizes the importance of trust and close relationships. Since individuals rely heavily on others, particularly those they are emotionally connected to, the vulnerability to gaslighting increases if trust is misplaced. Klein suggests that anyone trusting the wrong person could fall victim to gaslighting; it is not limited to certain personality types but may be influenced by factors such as attachment styles or trauma history in future research.

The framework broadens understanding by highlighting that gaslighting is not inherently about malicious intent but about manipulating learning processes. This perspective opens avenues for supporting victims through better identification and recovery strategies. Ultimately, Klein hopes future studies will validate this model and improve interventions to assist those affected.

Source: MedicalXpress