Everybody picks on ________.

• A. Gatekeeper
• B. The harmonizer, also known as the conciliator
• C. The storyteller, the intellectualizer, the attacker, and the joker
• D. The scapegoat

Answer: (D)

In group dynamics, one member often becomes the target of collective blame and negative attention—a role known as the scapegoat. When the prompt says “Everybody picks on” someone, it points to that person absorbing the group’s criticism and tension, while others deflect responsibility. The other roles mentioned—gatekeeper (facilitates participation), harmonizer (reduces tension), or the various coping roles like storyteller, intellectualizer, attacker, and joker—shape how the group interacts, but they aren’t the person who is universally singled out for blame. The scapegoat embodies being picked on by the whole group as a way to vent discomfort or avoidance of addressing underlying issues.