Hersey, P., & Blanchard K.
(1977).
Management of Organizational Behavior : Utilizing Human Resources.
"Often, however, people cannot attack the cause of their frustration directly, and they may look for a scapegoat as a target for their hostility. For example, a worker may fear his boss because the boss holds his fate in her hands. In this case, 'the resentful worker may pick a quarrel with his wife, kick the cat, beat his children, or, more constructively, work off his feelings by chopping wood, by cursing and swearing, or engaging in violent exercises or horseplay of an aggressive nature.'" (p. 18)
Hirschorn, L.
(1990).
The Workplace Within: Psychodynamics of Organizational Life.
"Although people rely on social defenses to contain their anxiety and consequently scapegoat clients, customers, or co-workers, they also desire to restore their experience of psychological wholeness and repair the real or imagined psychological damage they have done in devaluing others. This desire for reparation helps to limit the level of social irrationality in any group setting and provides a strong basis for moments of group development." (p. 10)