Envious stereotyping precedes and predicts scapegoat selection

Evidence

The ideological model suggests that the choice of scapegoat is primarily determined by (D) prior envious stereotyping (Fiske et al., 2002) of groups that are viewed as having the power and intent to cause widespread harm. Thus the perceived plausibility of a scapegoat ideology is influenced by cultural context. When Medieval Europe was decimated by plague, people blamed witches because witches were already believed to have the capability (via supernatural powers) and desire to cause such harm. Within the cultural context, blaming witches made “sense.” Even though blame was wholly (and horribly) misplaced, rational faculties were not abandoned. For example, the well-documented witchcraft claims made in Salem, Massachusetts, in the seventeenth century were subjected to rigorous and, if basic premises about witches are granted, arguably rational tests, as well as trials that adhered to the legal standards of the day (Karlsen, 1987). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1593 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

The ideological model suggests that the choice of scapegoat is primarily determined by (D) prior envious stereotyping (Fiske et al., 2002) of groups that are viewed as having the power and intent to cause widespread harm. Thus the perceived plausibility of a scapegoat ideology is influenced by cultural context. When Medieval Europe was decimated by plague, people blamed witches because witches were already believed to have the capability (via supernatural powers) and desire to cause such harm. Within the cultural context, blaming witches made “sense.” Even though blame was wholly (and horribly) misplaced, rational faculties were not abandoned. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1593 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Zero-sum framing of rivals enables depersonalization and rationalized harm; Perceived competition and competence together trigger envy or contempt; Perceived group power and competition, not negative traits, determine stereotyping and scapegoating — Cristian Tileagă, The Nature of Prejudice: Society,…, 196 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Scapegoat targets are pre-chosen by envious stereotyping of powerful outgroups #corroborates (1.00) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1593
• Scapegoating follows prior envy-based stereotypes of powerful groups, not chance #corroborates (1.00) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1593