Final answer:
Prejudice is sometimes caused by 'scapegoat theory,' where a dominant group blames a subordinate group for negative experiences to protect their in-group and maintain a positive self-concept. This, along with 'confirmation bias,' and the 'just-world hypothesis,' can contribute to the formation and persistence of prejudicial attitudes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that finding someone to blame for our negative experiences is a cause of prejudice is known as scapegoat theory. This concept suggests that a dominant group may displace its frustrations and unfocused aggression onto a subordinate group, often because the dominant group wants to maintain a positive self-concept and protect its in-group. Examples from history include the blame placed on the Jewish population by Adolf Hitler for Germany's problems and the laws enacted in the United States that disenfranchise immigrants, often to allow the dominant group to blame a subordinate group for various societal issues.
While scapegoat theory focuses on the displacement of blame, other psychological biases such as confirmation bias and just-world hypothesis also play a role in forming and maintaining prejudicial attitudes. Confirmation bias involves seeking out information that supports existing stereotypes and ignoring contradictory information, while the just-world hypothesis is the belief that people get what they deserve, leading to victim blaming in some cases.