Questions and Answers
What is Scapegoat Theory?
Provide an example of scapegoating.
If a person blames an unfair system for not getting a job instead of acknowledging their own shortcomings.
The ego defense of displacement plays no role in scapegoating.
False
What impact does displacement have in the context of scapegoating?
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What strengths does scapegoat theory highlight?
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Scapegoat theory adequately explains why some minorities are admired instead of prejudiced against.
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Study Notes
Scapegoat Theory Overview
- Scapegoat theory involves blaming others for personal problems, leading to prejudice against that individual or group.
- This blame-shifting can manifest as anger, frustration, or envy directed at a vulnerable group.
Example of Scapegoating
- A job applicant who faces rejection may blame an unfair system or favored candidates instead of acknowledging other factors.
- Scapegoating occurs when negative feelings are wrongly directed at individuals who are not responsible for those failures.
Freud's Defense Mechanisms
- Displacement is a defense mechanism where negative emotions are redirected towards a more defenseless target.
- This mechanism plays a crucial role in the process of scapegoating.
Impact of Displacement
- The group or individual being scapegoated experiences persecution, which serves as an emotional outlet for the scapegoater.
- The scapegoater may experience self-righteous feelings, enhancing their sense of moral superiority.
Evaluation of the Theory (Strengths)
- Frustration often leads to hostility, which is then misdirected onto a vulnerable minority group.
- This process involves rationalization, projecting negative traits, and stereotyping the entire minority based on a few.
Evaluation of the Theory (Weaknesses)
- The theory does not clarify why specific minorities become targets for prejudice, while others are respected.
- It focuses primarily on the motivations of the majority and neglects understanding the experiences and responses of the minority group.
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Description
Explore the concept of Scapegoat Theory and its implications for prejudice through this set of flashcards. Understand how blaming others for one's own problems fosters negative attitudes toward certain individuals or groups. Gain insights into real-world examples of this psychological phenomenon.
