Gaslighting vs. Whitewash

Attribute	Gaslighting	Whitewash
Definition	Manipulative tactic used to make someone doubt their own reality	Attempt to cover up or gloss over wrongdoing or mistakes
Intent	To control and manipulate the victim	To protect reputation or avoid consequences
Effects	Causes confusion, self-doubt, and emotional distress	Can perpetuate lies, distort truth, and hinder accountability
Commonly used in	Personal relationships, workplace dynamics, and politics	Media, history, and corporate scandals

Definition

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity. This can involve denying the truth, manipulating information, or outright lying to make the victim doubt their own reality. On the other hand, whitewashing is a metaphorical term used to describe the act of glossing over or covering up unpleasant facts or actions in order to make something appear more favorable or acceptable. This can involve downplaying the severity of a situation, omitting important details, or outright lying to create a more positive narrative.

Intent

Gaslighting is typically done with the intent of gaining power and control over the victim. By making the victim doubt their own reality, the gaslighter can manipulate them into doing what they want or believing what they say. The ultimate goal is often to maintain dominance and control in the relationship. Whitewashing, on the other hand, is usually done with the intent of protecting one's reputation or avoiding negative consequences. By covering up or downplaying negative aspects, the whitewasher can maintain a positive image or avoid facing accountability for their actions.

Techniques

Gaslighting often involves a variety of techniques, such as denial, projection, and shifting blame. The gaslighter may deny that certain events occurred, project their own behavior onto the victim, or shift the blame onto the victim for the gaslighter's actions. This can create confusion and self-doubt in the victim, making them more susceptible to manipulation. Whitewashing, on the other hand, may involve techniques such as minimization, rationalization, and diversion. The whitewasher may minimize the impact of their actions, rationalize their behavior as justified, or divert attention away from negative aspects by focusing on more positive aspects.

Impact

Gaslighting can have serious psychological consequences for the victim, including anxiety, depression, and a loss of self-esteem. The constant manipulation and doubt can erode the victim's sense of reality and self-worth, leading to long-term emotional damage. Whitewashing, on the other hand, can have societal consequences, such as perpetuating harmful stereotypes or allowing systemic injustices to go unchecked. By whitewashing history or current events, important lessons may be lost, and progress towards equality and justice may be hindered.

Examples

An example of gaslighting might be a partner who constantly tells their significant other that they are overreacting or imagining things when they express concerns about the relationship. This can make the victim doubt their own feelings and perceptions, leading to a cycle of manipulation and control. An example of whitewashing could be a company that downplays the environmental impact of their products in their marketing materials, focusing instead on their charitable donations and community involvement. This can create a false image of corporate responsibility while ignoring the negative consequences of their actions.