A scapegoat is a person or group unfairly blamed for problems, faults, or wrongdoings that they did not cause. The term originates from an ancient ritual described in the Bible's Book of Leviticus, where a goat was symbolically burdened with the sins of the community and sent into the wilderness to carry them away

. In modern usage, scapegoating refers to the practice of singling out someone to bear the blame or negative consequences for others' actions or failures. This can happen between individuals, groups, or even nations, often as a defense mechanism to deflect responsibility or frustration. Scapegoats are often vulnerable or marginalized individuals or groups, such as minorities or family members, who are unfairly targeted

. Psychologically, scapegoating involves projecting feelings of aggression, frustration, or guilt onto the scapegoat, who may suffer emotional harm, social ostracization, or other negative effects. It is a harmful behavior that impedes personal or societal growth by avoiding accountability

. In summary, a scapegoat is someone made to bear blame or punishment for others, whether in religious ritualistic origins or in social and psychological contexts today