Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that, over time, causes a victim to doubt their sense of reality, often leading to a loss of agency and emotional and mental instability. Currently, mechanistic explanations for gaslighting are rooted in unfalsifiable psychodynamic theory. We propose a theoretical framework that draws upon prediction error minimization, symbolic interactionism, attachment theory, self-verification theory, and shared reality theory to illustrate the cognitive mechanisms that allow gaslighting to occur. We hypothesize that gaslighting depends on normative social-cognitive mechanisms operating in atypical social situations. Our model assumes that (close) relationships fulfill important epistemic needs—close others shape and verify our self-views and our experience of the world. This privileged position of close others is what gives gaslighters the epistemic leverage required for gaslighting to be effective. We then apply our theoretical framework to the cycle of gaslighting and conclude by distinguishing gaslighting from other related phenomena. Public Abstract Gaslighting is a type of emotional abuse where someone manipulates another person into doubting their own sense of reality. Psychology lacks clear scientific explanations for how this abuse makes people feel like they’re losing touch with what’s real. In this report, we look at research from brain science and social psychology to explain what might be going on inside the minds of people who experience gaslighting. Our explanation focuses on how people learn from their experiences, and we also include ideas about how relationships and social situations can shape behavior. The goal is to offer a scientific explanation of gaslighting.

中文翻译：

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研究煤气灯现象的理论框架

煤气灯是一种心理纵形式，随着时间的推移，它会导致受害者怀疑他们的现实感，通常会导致能动性丧失以及情绪和精神不稳定。目前，对煤气灯效应的机械解释植根于不可证伪的心理动力学理论。我们提出了一个理论框架，该框架借鉴了预测误差最小化、符号互动主义、依恋理论、自我验证理论和共享现实理论来说明允许煤气灯效应发生的认知机制。我们假设煤气灯效应取决于在非典型社交场合中运作的规范社会认知机制。我们的模型假设（亲密的）关系满足了重要的认知需求——亲密的他人塑造并验证了我们的自我观点和我们对世界的体验。这种与他人关系密切的特权地位赋予了煤气灯有效所需的认知杠杆。然后，我们将我们的理论框架应用于煤气灯循环，并通过区分煤气灯与其他相关现象来得出结论。公共摘要煤气灯效应是一种情感虐待，其中有人纵另一个人怀疑自己的现实感。心理学缺乏明确的科学解释，说明这种虐待如何让人们觉得他们正在与真实的东西失去联系。在本报告中，我们研究了脑科学和社会心理学的研究，以解释经历过煤气灯效应的人的内心可能发生了什么。我们的解释侧重于人们如何从他们的经历中学习，我们还包括有关人际关系和社交场合如何影响行为的想法。目标是提供对煤气灯效应的科学解释。