Scapegoats are a universal phenomenon, appearing in all societies at all times in groups large and small, in public and private organizations. Hardly a week passes without some media reference to someone or something being made a scapegoat. Tom Douglas examines the process of scapegoating from the perspectives of victims and perpetrators, tracing its development from earliest times as rite of atonement to the modern forms of the avoidance of blame and the victimisation of innocents. The differences and similarities between the ancient and modern forms are examined to reveal that despite the modern logical explanations of behaviour, the mystical element in the form of superstition is still evident. Directly responding to the Diploma in Social Work's call for texts on anti-discriminatory practice Scapegoats should become essential reading for all social workers in training and practice. Will also be a invaluable resource for all professionals engaging in groupwork and group workers in training. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Ancient ritual......Page 10 Origins: Tyndale's word and its continued use......Page 12 Purification and propitiation: scapegoating founded in the belief systems of society......Page 22 Sin-eaters, whipping boys and fall guys: the role of 'victim' and the changes to it brought about by modifications of the belief system......Page 40 Social behaviour: examples and analysis......Page 58 Scapegoating as public behaviour: the process of scapegoating......Page 60 Scapegoating as social behaviour: examples of the process of scapegoating in families, organisations and groups......Page 79 Victims: examples of victimisation......Page 94 Theories and explanations......Page 116 Attempts at understanding: the process......Page 118 Attempts at understanding: the victim. What makes an individual or a group become the victims in the scapegoating process?......Page 144 Management......Page 158 The management of scapegoating......Page 162 The resolution of scapegoating......Page 179 Rite, ritual or survival strategy? Final considerations......Page 199 Bibliography......Page 213 Index......Page 217 1. Origins: Tyndale's Word And Its Continued Use -- 2. Purification And Propitiation: Scapegoating Founded In The Belief Systems Of Society -- 3. Sin-eaters, Whipping Boys And Fall Guys: The Role Of 'victim' And The Changes To It Brought About By Modifications Of The Belief System -- 4. Scapegoating As Public Behaviour: The Process Of Scapegoating -- 5. Scapegoating As Social Behaviour: Examples Of The Process Of Scapegoating In Families, Organisations And Groups -- 6. Victims: Examples Of Victimisation -- 7. Attempts At Understanding: The Process -- 8. Attempts At Understanding: The Victim. What Makes An Individual Or A Group Become The Victims In The Scapegoating Process? -- 9. The Management Of Scapegoating -- 10. The Resolution Of Scapegoating -- 11. Rite, Ritual Or Survival Strategy? Final Considerations. Tom Douglas. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [204]-207) And Index. Directly responds to the Diploma in Social Work's call for anti-discriminatory texts. Examines scapegoating, its history, and distinctions betweeen rational and irrational forms of this behaviour.
