63rd Annual Conference

Thursday, February 23

Afternoon Workshops

2:45-6:00 P.M.

Workshop 21

The Psychodynamics of Scapegoating

Chair:         

Lawrence Malcus, Ph.D., VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo

Park, California

Understanding the dynamics of scapegoating allows us to work more effectively with this frequent, usually troublesome, process.  We will examine the functions of splitting, projective identification, intrapsychic and whole group dynamics, and the transference-countertransference matrix in the development and working through of scapegoating processes.

Didactic-sharing of work experiences-experiential-demonstration

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Identify scapegoating as it occurs in groups.

2. Analyze and interpret the underlying dynamics of scapegoating processes.

3. Select interventions and devise strategies for interpreting and working through scapegoating processes.

Course References:

1. Girard, R.  (1986). The Scapegoat. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

2. Malcus, L. (1995).  Indirect Scapegoating Via Projective Identification and the Mother Group. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 45, 5-71.

3. Scheidlinger, S. (1982). Presidential Address: On scapegoating in group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 32, 131-143.