Scapegoat ideologies win acceptance by serving psychological needs, not merely by explaining events

Evidence

The attractiveness of a scapegoat ideology is not determined solely by its abil­ ity to explain frustrating events but by its ability to serve a variety of socialpsychological needs heightened by difficult life conditions (Staub, 1989). Some plausible explanations of frustrating conditions may be rejected be­ cause they are unpalatable for a variety of reasons. … In other words, it is not that, at an unconscious level, the true source of widespread frustrations is recognized but repressed but simply that some explanations—whether correct or not—are rendered more plausible and attractive because of preexisting beliefs, values, and needs. — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide, 820

Categorization

• DEFINE: Operationalizes why a target becomes socially plausible: it must satisfy preexisting beliefs, values, and needs, not just fit the facts.
• XREF: Explicitly links to Staub (1989) on difficult life conditions and Tajfel (1981) on positive ingroup differentiation — both relevant to the inclusion-need mechanism literature the reader is bridging. — connects to: Misdiagnosed scapegoat ideologies arise from incomprehension plus psychological need. — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 794; Scapegoat ideologies win because they offer simple, controllable explanations; Scapegoat movements recruit by fulfilling needs for belonging and immortality (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Scapegoat movements recruit by fulfilling needs for belonging and immortality #expands (0.95)
• Scapegoat movements exploit frustrated needs for esteem, belonging, and security. #expands (0.95)
• Scapegoating thrives because complex explanations fail to fulfill needs for control #expands (0.90) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1592
• Difficult times heighten basic needs that scapegoat movements exploit #expands (0.90)
• Scapegoat ideologies win because they offer simple, controllable explanations #contradicts (0.85)
• Scapegoat movements thrive by offering simpler explanations than complex uncontrollable causes #contradicts (0.85) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1592