Scapegoatism: meaning, definitions and examples
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scapegoatism
[ ˈskeɪpɡoʊtɪzəm ]
social behavior
Scapegoatism refers to the practice of unfairly blaming an individual or group for problems or negative outcomes, often to divert attention away from the true cause. This concept is prevalent in various social, political, and economic contexts, where certain groups are singled out for blame during times of stress or crisis.
Synonyms
attribution of blame, blapheming, finger-pointing.
Examples of usage
- The community resorted to scapegoatism during the economic downturn.
- In times of political turmoil, scapegoatism can become rampant.
- Scapegoatism often targets marginalized groups in society.
Translations
Translations of the word "scapegoatism" in other languages:
🇵🇹 bode expiatório
🇮🇳 बलि का बकरा
🇩🇪 Sündenbock
🇮🇩 kambing hitam
🇺🇦 козел відпущення
🇵🇱 kozioł ofiarny
🇯🇵 スケープゴート主義
🇫🇷 bouc émissaire
🇪🇸 chivo expiatorio
🇹🇷 günah keçisi
🇰🇷 희생양주의
🇸🇦 كبش فداء
🇨🇿 obětní beránek
🇸🇰 obetný baránok
🇨🇳 替罪羊主义
🇸🇮 žrtev
🇮🇸 syndabók
🇰🇿 құрбандық қой
🇬🇪 მისაღები მსხვერპლი
🇦🇿 qurban keçisi
🇲🇽 chivo expiatorio
Etymology
The term 'scapegoatism' is derived from the biblical concept of 'scapegoat,' which has its origins in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Leviticus. In this text, a goat is selected to symbolically carry the sins of the people into the wilderness, effectively absolving them of their wrongdoings. Over time, the term has evolved to describe the broader social phenomenon of blaming individuals or groups as a means of relieving guilt or responsibility from others. The use of 'scapegoat' in a figurative sense dates back to the late 19th century, where it began to be associated with social dynamics and psychological behavior. Scapegoatism can manifest in various forms, such as racial scapegoatism, where certain ethnic or racial groups are blamed for societal issues, and political scapegoatism, where leaders deflect blame for their failures onto others to maintain their position or power.