noun a person or group made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place
In politics, a scapegoat is often used to divert attention away from a controversial issue or to shift blame onto someone else.
Throughout history, scapegoats have been used in various cultures and societies to explain misfortunes or to justify persecution of certain groups.
In religious contexts, a scapegoat is a symbolic figure who takes on the sins or burdens of others.
In psychology, a scapegoat is often used to describe a person or group who is unfairly blamed for the mistakes or problems of others.
In sociology, the concept of a scapegoat is used to explain how certain individuals or groups are targeted as the cause of larger societal issues.
In literature, a scapegoat may be used as a character who is blamed or punished for the actions of others, often to create conflict or tension in the story.
In psychology, the term scapegoat is used to describe a person or group who is unfairly blamed for problems or issues within a family, group, or organization. This concept is often studied in the context of family dynamics and group behavior.
In the workplace, a scapegoat may refer to an employee who is unfairly blamed for mistakes or problems within a team or organization. Human resources managers may work to address and prevent scapegoating behavior in the workplace.