To project the group's problems onto a single individual rather than the group taking responsibility is known as what?

To project the group's problems onto a single individual rather than the group taking responsibility is known as what?

• A. Blame
• B. Scapegoat
• C. Accommodate
• D. Accuse

Answer: (B)

Scapegoating is when a group avoids taking collective responsibility by projecting its problems onto a single person. In group dynamics, this serves as a way to diffuse anxiety and maintain cohesion—one member becomes the target of blame, even if the real issues lie in how the group communicates, makes decisions, or handles conflict. The scapegoat bears the burden of fault while the rest of the group can deny accountability and continue as before. This term fits best because it names both the mechanism (projecting group problems onto one individual) and the role of that person (the target of blame). Other terms describe related actions but not the same pattern: blame is a general act of assigning fault; accuse is to state that someone is at fault; accommodate means to yield or adjust, not to transfer responsibility to a person. The concept here specifically captures the process and role of the singled-out member who absorbs the group’s problematic issues.

Scapegoating is when a group avoids taking collective responsibility by projecting its problems onto a single person. In group dynamics, this serves as a way to diffuse anxiety and maintain cohesion—one member becomes the target of blame, even if the real issues lie in how the group communicates, makes decisions, or handles conflict. The scapegoat bears the burden of fault while the rest of the group can deny accountability and continue as before.

This term fits best because it names both the mechanism (projecting group problems onto one individual) and the role of that person (the target of blame). Other terms describe related actions but not the same pattern: blame is a general act of assigning fault; accuse is to state that someone is at fault; accommodate means to yield or adjust, not to transfer responsibility to a person. The concept here specifically captures the process and role of the singled-out member who absorbs the group’s problematic issues.