Attributive use in compounds such as "scapegoat theory" or "scapegoat mechanism".
Definitionen
scapegoatsubstantiv
A person or group that is unfairly blamed for problems or negative outcomes, often to divert attention from the true causes.
The manager used the intern as a scapegoat for the project's failure, even though the issues were beyond the intern's control.
In historical or religious contexts, a goat sent into the wilderness after the Jewish chief priest had symbolically laid the sins of the people upon it.
During the ancient ritual, the community would send a scapegoat into the desert to atone for their sins.
scapegoatverb
To unfairly blame or punish someone for the faults or problems of others.
The manager was quick to scapegoat the new employee for the team's failure, even though it was a collective issue.
scapegoatadjektiv
Attributive, relating to or involving a scapegoat; assigning blame to someone or something unfairly.
The scapegoat theory explains prejudice as a way to vent frustration on a powerless group.