Scapegoatism: meaning, definitions and examples

Historical Origins

• The term comes from an ancient ritual in which a goat was symbolically burdened with the sins of the people and then sent away, representing the idea of transferring blame.
• The concept has roots in the biblical tradition found in Leviticus, where a goat was sent into the wilderness on Yom Kippur while the people's sins were placed on it.

Psychology

• This phenomenon can often occur in group settings when individuals want to protect themselves from criticism by shifting blame to an innocent party.
• Scapegoatism might lead to a false sense of relief for the ones involved, as they deny their own accountability for the problem.

Literature

• In literature, characters who serve as scapegoats often highlight social injustices by being wrongfully accused or punished, such as in the character of Topsy from 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'
• In Shakespeare's plays, characters like Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice' may serve as scapegoats for societal issues, reflecting the prejudices of the time.

Pop Culture

• Many films explore the theme of scapegoating, portraying characters who are unfairly targeted by society or their peers, as seen in movies like 'Mean Girls.'
• Reality TV often highlights scapegoatism through conflicts where a contestant is blamed for group failures, creating dramatic tension.

Sociology

• Scapegoatism can be a reflection of societal dynamics, where marginalized groups are often unfairly blamed for larger issues, like economic downturns or crime rates.
• This practice can exacerbate social divisions, leading to further discrimination and stigmatization of the scapegoated group.