Gaslighting: Manipulating Reality

Presented at PhreakNIC 22 (2018), Oct. 20, 2018, 4 p.m. (45 minutes).

For 95% of human history we have lived in tribal groups, not in villages or cities. Because of our neurological makeup we think in terms of tribes, (us vs. them). As Social Engineers we normally use tools and techniques to manipulate an individual cognitive reality for security purposes. But if Social Engineers would broaden our scope and think about group manipulation, we could use gaslighting tools to manipulate reality for groups. In our presentation, S.A. and Terry Hale will discuss and give examples of numerous warning signs and stages of gaslighting. We will use a standard definition of gaslighting: A psychological manipulation and cognition adjustment technique, often used by militaries and governments, as well as emotionally abusive men and women, in which attempts to alter the reality of the victim causes them to question their memories or frame of reference for an event.

The second half of our presentation will be two live, real-time demonstrations using volunteers from the audience.


Presenters:

  • Terry Hale - Researcher at Hale Research
    Terry Hale has been fascinated with the decision-making process since she began dealing with customers in her family’s business when she was a young teen. As an adult, she has studied Social Engineering, Behavioral Economics, and Cognitive Science while working in a career that includes sales, teaching, corporate training with both private and government agencies, including NASA and DoD. Currently, Mrs. Hale is a full-time glass artist and jewelry designer. In addition to teaching in her studio, Terry regularly teaches at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown NC, Appalachian Center for Craft (Tennessee Technology University) in Smithville, TN, CraftSummer at the University of Miami, OH, and at Essence of Mulranny, County Mayo, Ireland. She utilizes her studies of cognitive biases while teaching and decision making while selling her artwork. In 2018, S.A. and Terry grew their curiosity and study of the human mind into Hale Research. They consult with business and government leaders to help them understand how to effectively work with people. They also create reports about the decision-making process by applying current Cognitive Science and Behavioral Economic best practices.
  • SA Hale - Researcher at Hale Research
    S.A. Hale Retired from his primary work environment in December 2017 where he utilizing an interdisciplinary approach that brought the human side to technology by combining Cognitive and Behavioral Science with Computer and Security Engineering. Mr. Hale worked in a various of areas including Security Engineering, Information Assurance, and, Cyber Warfare. Mr. Hale provided engineering and analysis support to MDA, GMD, SMDC, USMC, USN, DHS, and other government and commercial groups both foreign and domestic. Additionally, Mr. Hale is an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Athens State University where he teaches courses in System Security Management, Digital Forensics, Cyber Ethics, and Javascript. In 2018, S.A. and Terry grew their curiosity and study of the human mind into Hale Research. They consult with business and government leaders to help them understand how to effectively work with people. They also create reports about the decision-making process by applying current Cognitive Science and Behavioral Economic best practices.

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