Scapegoating in Group Psychotherapy

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe and illuminate the phenomenon of scapegoating in group psychotherapy. Specifically, the role of projective identification - on both individual and group-wide bases - in the evolution of the deviant is delineated. Individual, interpersonal, and whole-group interventions are presented along with the technique of functional subgrouping, a relatively new and particularly potent group intervention. Several case vignettes are detailed for illustration.

Forensic multidisciplinary perspectives of Tarasoff liability: a vignette study

“…This is not surprising given the professional boundaries and the differing areas of accountability. Given the scrutiny that the professional groups are under when faced with a Tarasoff-type scenario there is some degree of professional cohesion, a form of 'social glue' that binds the groups together in the face of a perceived external threat (Mercer, Mason, & Richman, 2001) but this can be replaced with a blame culture and scapegoating when untoward incidents occur and public scrutiny begins (Moreno, 2007).…”

Developing the Group Mind Through Functional Subgrouping: Linking Systems-Centered Training (SCT) and Interpersonal Neurobiology

“…In the fight phase, group members typically refute differences with "yes, but's" and elect a scapegoat to contain the differences the group has not yet explored (Agazarian, 1997;Cohen & Schermer, 2002;Gemmill, 1989;Horwitz, 1983;Moreno, 2007). Moreno (2007) provided an example of a group starting to scapegoat a member who was angry.…”

“…Moreno (2007) provided an example of a group starting to scapegoat a member who was angry. Using functional subgrouping enabled the group to explore their different relationships to anger, with one subgroup joining the angry member to explore being angry and another subgroup exploring the pull to withdraw and avoid the anger.…”