What term describes the tendency to direct prejudice at out-group members?

The correct term describing the tendency to direct prejudice at out-group members is scapegoating. Scapegoating involves blaming an individual or group for problems or negative outcomes, often unjustly, which can arise from societal tensions or conflicts. This behavior allows individuals or groups to project their frustrations and grievances onto those perceived as outsiders, effectively diverting attention from the actual sources of their issues.

While some of the other terms may relate to prejudice and perception, they do not specifically encapsulate the act of targeting out-group members with bias. Bandwagoning refers to the phenomenon where individuals adopt certain behaviors or beliefs simply because many others are doing so, rather than as a reaction against a specific group. Attribution theory involves how people interpret the behaviors of others, focusing on internal versus external causes, rather than on directing prejudice. Confirmation bias describes the tendency to favor information that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs while dismissing contrary evidence, which does not directly relate to prejudice against out-groups. Thus, scapegoating accurately captures the essence of this tendency.