AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A scapegoat is a person who is the receiver of blame and anger about a situation. Often the anger is without reason. So, if someone is unfairly blamed for something, that person could be called a scapegoat. “Scapegoat” combines the English words “escape” and “goat.” The word has an interesting history.

Detailed explanation-2: -If you say that someone is made a scapegoat for something bad that has happened, you mean that people blame them and may punish them for it although it may not be their fault.

Detailed explanation-3: -A scapegoat may be an adult, child, sibling, employee, peer, ethnic, political or religious group, or country. A whipping boy, identified patient, or “fall guy” are forms of scapegoat.