Final answer:
People in Salem in The Crucible want to identify witchcraft as the source of their problems to scapegoat individuals and avoid responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
People in Salem want to identify witchcraft as the source of their problems in Act 1 Scene 1 of The Crucible because it allows them to scapegoat individuals and avoid responsibility. By blaming witchcraft, they can shift the blame away from themselves and their own actions or shortcomings. Witchcraft becomes a convenient explanation for the misfortunes and challenges they face in their community.