Which of the following findings has been MOST frequently interpreted as evidence for scapegoat theory?
A)The finding that people often state that they are not prejudiced against certain groups, but display prejudice when they are assessed indirectly
B)Hovland and Sears's finding that - in the southern US, between 1882 and 1930 - there was a statistically significant correlation between the market price of cotton and the frequency of interracial lynching incidents
C)Sherif's finding - based on his research with two groups of 11-year-old boys camping at Robber's Cave - that the groups became prejudiced against one another when required to compete but friendly toward one another when required to work together to achieve common goals
D)Tajfel's finding that ingroup favouritism occurs even when people are randomly assigned to groups and have no prior attachment to them

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correlation between the market price of cotton and the frequency of interracial lynching incidents in the southern US between 1882 and 1930 is often interpreted as evidence for scapegoat theory. This theory suggests that individuals or groups who are perceived as threats or sources of frustration are unfairly blamed or targeted for negative outcomes, such as economic hardship or social unrest. In this case, the lynching incidents may have been a way for white citizens to vent their anger and frustration over the declining price of cotton and their perception of African Americans as a threat to their economic and social status.

Which of the Following Findings Has Been MOST Frequently Interpreted