1. an analysis of violence and aggression in which individuals undergoing negative experiences (such as failure or abuse by others) are assumed to blame an innocent individual or group for causing the experience. Subsequent mistreatment of this scapegoat then serves as an outlet for individuals’ frustrations and hostilities (see displaced aggression). It has also been suggested that when scapegoats have been targets for aggression over the years they may thus acquire the quality of a stimulus for aggression.

2. an analysis of prejudice in which intergroup conflict is assumed to be caused, in part, by the tendency of individuals to blame their negative experiences on other groups. The theory is supported by studies suggesting that racial prejudice increases during periods of economic downturn and high unemployment. See realistic group conflict theory. See also frustration–aggression hypothesis.