Scapegoating is a phenomenon where a group expresses its frustration and negative attitude or prejudices against another group which is too small or too ____ in number to defend itself.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Weak
In scapegoating, the majority group places the blame on a minority outgroup for its own social, economic or political problems. The minority is too weak or too small in number to defend itself, which is why it becomes the target of the frustration.
Option (1) Strong — Incorrect. A strong group could defend itself, so it would not be picked to carry the blame.
Option (2) Rich — Incorrect. Wealth gives a group means to defend itself; scapegoating turns on the group’s weakness.
Option (4) Large — Incorrect. A large group has the numbers to resist; the question already speaks of a group that is too small.
NCERT (2025-26): “Scapegoating : … This is a phenomenon by which the majority group places the blame on a minority outgroup for its own social, economic or political problems. The minority is too weak or too small in number to defend itself against such accusations. Scapegoating is a group-based way of expressing frustration, and it often results in negative attitudes or prejudice against the weaker group.…” |