The Damaging Psychology of Scapegoating: Causes and Effects

Understanding Scapegoating and Its Harmful Effects

Content Warning

Please be advised, this article mentions trauma-related topics that include abuse which could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Free support is available 24/7.

Scapegoating is a harmful dynamic that appears in various relationships and settings, from family interactions to workplace environments and even political discourse. This psychological pattern involves unfairly placing blame on someone who isn’t responsible for a problem, often to protect the actual responsible party from accountability. The impacts of scapegoating can be profound, damaging self-esteem, undermining relationships, and fostering prejudice within communities.

In this article, we’ll explore the nature of scapegoating and examine why it’s so detrimental to both individuals and society.

Defining Scapegoating

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) American Psychological Association, scapegoating is “the process of directing one’s anger, frustration, and aggression onto others and targeting them as the source of one’s problems and misfortunes.” This psychological defense mechanism often operates unconsciously, allowing people to avoid taking responsibility for their actions or shortcomings by projecting them onto someone else.

Example of Scapegoating in Action

Consider this scenario: Parents return home from picking up their children from school and forget to lock their car. Later, someone steals a wallet from the unlocked vehicle. Instead of acknowledging their oversight, the parents blame the children, claiming they were too distracting and caused the parents to forget about locking the car. This is a classic example of scapegoating—the parents redirect responsibility to avoid facing their own mistake.

The Historical Roots of Scapegoating

The term “scapegoating” has fascinating historical origins, deriving from ancient rituals where communities would symbolically transfer their collective sins onto a goat—the “scapegoat”—before sending it into the wilderness. This practice involved two goats: one was sacrificed, while the other carried away the community’s transgressions. Understanding these historical roots helps us recognize how deeply embedded scapegoating behaviors are in human society across cultures and time periods.

Theoretical Development

French sociologist Émile Durkheim first formally identified scapegoating as a sociological concept in 1897. Durkheim proposed that scapegoating served as a community coping mechanism during stressful situations, providing an outlet for tension and maintaining social order. He observed that when people feel overwhelmed or helpless, they often blame outsiders to relieve their distress.

Gordon Allport expanded this concept in 1954 with his “scapegoat theory,” which described scapegoating as a means to avoid responsibility and accountability during difficult times. In his work “ABCs of Scapegoating,” Allport characterized scapegoating as a form of group bullying that can manifest in various contexts—from blaming specific countries or ethnic groups to targeting individuals within communities for broader societal problems.

Narcissism and Scapegoating

Scapegoating is particularly common among individuals with narcissistic traits narcissism research, often taking the form of bullying behavior. In these cases, the person may be especially aggressive in their blame-shifting as they attempt to make others feel small or powerless. This reaction typically occurs when the narcissist’s self-image is threatened by the consequences of their own behavior.

Research shows that low self-worth is common among people with narcissistic tendencies narcissism and self-worth study, which may explain why they’re quick to lash out and find scapegoats when faced with their mistakes. By redirecting blame, they protect their fragile self-image from perceived threats.

The Damaging Consequences of Scapegoating

Scapegoating creates several harmful outcomes for everyone involved in the dynamic.

Psychological Impact on the Scapegoat

Being scapegoated can cause significant psychological distress. Victims often experience feelings of:

• Worthlessness and diminished self-esteem
• Unwarranted guilt and shame
• Isolation and alienation
• Symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Self-doubt and questioning of their own perceptions, as their experiences are frequently denied or minimized

Effects on the Perpetrator

Those who engage in scapegoating aren’t immune to psychological consequences either. Perpetrators may experience:

• Underlying guilt or shame about their behavior
• Anxiety related to fear of exposure
• A cycle of negative behaviors as they continue to avoid accountability
• Deteriorating relationships as others recognize the pattern

A study published in World Psychiatry narcissism and relationships study found that narcissistic traits significantly correlate with denying autonomy to romantic partners, creating unhealthy relationship dynamics that often include scapegoating behaviors.

Family Scapegoating Dynamics

Scapegoating is particularly destructive within family systems, where one member becomes the designated “problem” or “black sheep.” Over time, this repeated targeting can lead to serious trauma, emotional isolation, and even dangerous coping behaviors like self-harm. Adults who were family scapegoats often struggle with boundary-setting and may normalize dysfunctional relationships in their later lives.

Strategies for Responding to Scapegoating

If you find yourself being scapegoated, prioritizing your mental wellbeing is crucial. Here are some approaches that may help:

Protective Measures for Scapegoats

Communicate assertively: Express your perspective calmly and clearly. Since scapegoating often happens unconsciously, bringing attention to the pattern might help in some cases—though be prepared for potential defensiveness.

Practice self-compassion: Scapegoating can severely impact your self-perception. Research shows that self-compassion builds emotional resilience. Remind yourself regularly that you have inherent worth regardless of others’ projections.

Build strong support networks: Having trusted friends and loved ones provides crucial emotional backing when facing scapegoating. Research demonstrates that strong social support correlates with better mental and physical health outcomes. A supportive friend can offer perspective and validation when you’re questioning your reality.

Healing Through Therapy

Scapegoating leaves emotional scars for everyone involved. Whether you’ve been scapegoated or recognize that you’ve engaged in this behavior, professional support can be invaluable for processing feelings of guilt, shame, or damaged self-esteem.

Research therapy effectiveness study indicates that various therapeutic approaches can be effectively delivered both in-person and online. If traditional office visits feel uncomfortable, virtual therapy provides a convenient alternative.

Virtual Therapy for Scapegoating Recovery

Telehealth platforms like ReachLink connect you with licensed mental health professionals who can help you heal from scapegoating experiences. Through secure video sessions, you can work with