Citation

Dixon R. J. School Violence 2007; 6(4): 81-103.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J202v06n04_05

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Within the group therapy literature scapegoating is understood as an unconscious process that plays an important function in preventing groups from being split asunder as a result of unexpressed frustration towards the leader. When a group successfully challenges its leader to share power, the need for a scapegoat passes. In the search for theory that will explain bullying in groups and so point the way to effective interventions, scapegoating poses some interesting questions. Is it possible to identify a set of behaviours and contextual features that can be used to identify scapegoating? If some bullying is caused by scapegoating, what is the relationship between this and other processes previously identified as causes of bullying, such as ostracism and stigmatisation? Based on part of the analysis of a retrospective study with adults who were deaf and hearing impaired (n = 35), the implications of accepting scapegoating as a cause of bullying are explored.