scapegoat+theory

** What is scapegoat Theory? ** - A social psychological term that relates to prejudice - According to this theory, people may be prejudiced toward a group in order to vent their anger - When people are in trouble and they don't want to blame themselves, they usually pick on a weak individual or a group to blame so they can get out of the trouble - In history a scapegoat was an animal (usually a goat) that was killed or tortured in order to get rid of the negativity in a community



** René Girard ** - French historian, literary critic and philosopher of social science created the modern scapegoat theory - Developed the study of the scapegoat from a perspective of human culture - Based on his study of human behavior rather than being derived from a theological framework 

**What does Girard say about the scapegoat?** - Humans are driven by desire for that which another has or wants. This causes many desires and results in conflict between the desiring parties which then triggers the scapegoat mechanism - This is the point where one person is singled out as the cause of the trouble and is blamed (The person who is blamed is the scapegoat) - Scapegoat serves as a psychological relief for a group of people because others are blamed for ones personal struggles and problems - This coping mechanism connects to bullying, stereotyping, victimization, dehumanization and many other concept

Learn more about other concepts that connect to scapegoat mechanism! <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">For more on **bullying** [|click here] <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">For more on **stereotyping** [|click here] <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">For more on **victimhood** [|click here]

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**Connection to our everyday life in Needham!** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**Is there a Scapegoat in your family?** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">- Some families that are so dysfunctional that one individual is actually chosen by the parent or the parents to be the family scapegoat <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">- Meaning that that child is treated differently by the rest of the family including other siblings <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">- Being blamed for everything that happens in that family BY that family <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Still confused?? watch this video starting at 2 minutes! [|click here.]

<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Are you the Scapegoat in your family? Read what these people have to say and make sure you don’t fit into that same category! [|check this out!] (bottom of page)

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**People using music as a scapegoat today!** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">- Aside from the many psychological definitions of a scapegoat there are many obvious simple examples of scapegoats in our everyday lives <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">- Many people use music as a scapegoat to relieve stress and anger <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">- Although you are not 'blaming' the music for something you are using the music to make yourself feel better Find more examples of scapegoating [|here] BIBLIOGRAPHY [] [|http://irishmethodistlentenblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/rene-girard’s-“scapegoat”-theory-of-atonement/] [] []