Scapegoating

Definition

Scapegoating is the practice of unfairly blaming an individual or group for problems or negative outcomes, often as a way to divert attention from the real causes. This psychological mechanism can serve to reinforce existing prejudices and allow individuals or societies to avoid facing their own shortcomings or failures. In many cases, scapegoating arises during times of social stress, where people seek an outlet for their frustrations and fears.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Scapegoating often occurs in high-stress situations where individuals or groups need to find someone to blame for their difficulties, allowing them to vent frustration without addressing the real issues.
2. This behavior can perpetuate stereotypes and prejudices against the targeted group, leading to further discrimination and social division.
3. Historical examples of scapegoating include blaming minority groups for economic hardships during times of recession or political instability.
4. Scapegoating can have severe consequences for the targeted individuals or groups, including violence, social exclusion, and a breakdown in community relations.
5. The process of scapegoating can also serve to unify the group doing the blaming by creating a common enemy, thereby strengthening ingroup solidarity.

Review Questions

• How does scapegoating relate to the development and maintenance of prejudice within a society?
  • Scapegoating is closely linked to the development and maintenance of prejudice because it allows individuals to project their frustrations onto a specific target. This not only reinforces existing negative beliefs about that group but also diverts attention from systemic issues that contribute to societal problems. By blaming a scapegoat, individuals can avoid taking responsibility for their own actions and thus perpetuate a cycle of prejudice and discrimination.
• Discuss the psychological mechanisms behind scapegoating and how they might impact social dynamics during times of crisis.
  • The psychological mechanisms behind scapegoating include projection of personal frustrations, social identity theory, and the need for external validation. During times of crisis, people are often looking for explanations for their suffering, leading them to find a scapegoat as a way to externalize blame. This can create a dangerous social dynamic where entire groups are unjustly vilified, further deepening divisions within society and hindering efforts for unity and understanding.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of scapegoating on targeted groups and societal cohesion as a whole.
  • The long-term consequences of scapegoating can be profoundly damaging both for targeted groups and for overall societal cohesion. For those targeted, the effects may include psychological trauma, loss of social status, economic hardship, and increased vulnerability to violence. For society as a whole, widespread scapegoating can lead to entrenched divisions between groups, escalating tensions, and even conflict. Additionally, it undermines trust in social institutions when certain groups are unfairly blamed for problems that require collective action and understanding to address.

Related terms

prejudice: Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes about individuals or groups, often based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, or religion, without sufficient knowledge or reason.

discrimination: Discrimination involves treating individuals unfairly based on their membership in a particular group, often resulting from prejudiced beliefs and attitudes.

ingroup bias: Ingroup bias is the tendency for individuals to favor members of their own group over those in outgroups, which can lead to the marginalization of others and reinforce stereotypes.