Persuading With The Help Of Scapegoats

Seems like for a while there nearly every car in the U.S. had a "United We Stand" bumper sticker. These stickers imply that our standing united was our only salvation. When we don't stand united, what happens? Of course, we fall divided.

So is this true? If we were to buy into the idea at the center of the political platform of defeating terrorists by standing united and spreading our democracy everywhere, will this bumper sticker's admonition keep us safe? If we blindly agree with all the presuppositions will we all be okay?

With scapegoating, the best way to get us all on board-to unite-is to have a common enemy, a boogie man, a Satan, Saddam Hussein or a terrorist to rage against.

Christianity uses scapegoating: Satan. The government uses scapegoating: 1950's = Commies; 2000's = Terrorists. Most recently we have Scooter Libby. (Though the distinction has been made that he's more of a "fall guy" than a "scapegoat" because scapegoat implies using an innocent to pin the blame on while fall guy's usually share the blame.)

Scapegoating was super popular in Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials. The division of church and state was causing difficulty in the lives of the citizens, so instead of addressing that, women were burned at the stake because, after all, these witches were the cause of all the problems.

Religion is great for scapegoating. Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent. The Baptists show how the Mormons miss the point and lead people astray and visa versa. In order for Christianity to exist, Satan is the 'necessary evil', so to speak. Without Satan there is nothing to save humanity from. The concept of Satan has single-handedly maintained Christianity throughout the years.

Please note: I am not debating the existence of non-existence of Satan. I am not interested in converting anyone to my spiritual, religious or political beliefs. I'm just pointing out how scapegoating is utilized.

Politically we see scapegoating divert attention from the real news of the day to lesser problems.

A national phenomenon of scapegoating occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The media fueled it with its new label: the blame game. Instead of agreeing that there was a failure on all levels of government in an untenable situation of an impoverished city, geographically and economically handicapped, the blaming began in full force.

Seems like people ultimately want to believe that their problems or failures are the result of something outside themselves.

In sales and business scapegoating can be used to suggest your new client or prospect's former adviser (or agent), lacked knowledge and gave terrible advice and is responsible for preventing the client from earning what they should have earned.

To use this tactic ethically, try making the scapegoat an opposing force such as an idea, philosophy or an unfortunate circumstance and not a person or group.

Article Source: http://www.rightbiz.com

Kenrick Cleveland teaches strategies to earn the business of affluent prospects using persuasion. He runs public and private seminars and offers home study courses and coaching programs in persuasion strategies.

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