Scapegoating

Scapegoating is when an individual or group is selected to take the blame for a problem.

Examples might be blaming a single elected official like a mayor or an organisation for an uncontrolled wildfire.

Complex problems usually have complex causes. A single person or organisation may have contributed to a situation but can’t be held accountable for every factor that contributed to a problem.

How to spot scapegoating

• Watch for a complex problem being blamed on one specific cause or entity without sufficient evidence.

• Is the information overlooking broader context? Ask if the argument ignores a larger, more complex web of factors contributing to the issue.

• Is there a lack of supporting evidence? Do the claims use anecdotes, stereotypes or generalisations rather than verifiable data?

• Look for attempts to divide or distract. Does the argument create an us versus them narrative, diverting attention from factors actually responsible?

In the case of a wildfire, there will often be multiple factors contributing to the fire and work to control it. This would include prior fire mitigation work and planning, fire behaviour, weather and climate conditions, building materials and vegetation in the area on fire.

Look at the pictured headline from this article. What does it suggest?

Now look at this alternative article. What additional information does it provide? Why might the two articles and headlines differ so much?