I think the key word is "deliberate."

There have been a few too many people in my life with gaslighting tendencies. But I don't think they were deliberate in their strategy. I don't think they had it in their mind to put somebody down as a means to control that person. Rather, I think (with my armchair psychology training) they are wounded people--and this little power trip helps them feel better about themselves.

This low level of gaslighting still hurts those on the receiving end. They are affected negatively by it.

The low level gaslighters is mostly unaware of damage they are causing. This should still be fixed. But too often, these people do not want to fix their wounds.