Hmm...
It's difficult to agree with what seems a fairly pessimistic view of human nature given our capacity for cooperation. But I think that you're right in saying that we really value the cohesion of our group and tend to act, subconsciously, over-cautiously to try to preserve it.

In Guns, Germs & Steel, Jared Diamond relates how when two New Guineans, who don't know each, other meet they will desperately talk in order to try to find some remote family connection between them so that they have a reason not to kill each other. Quite depressing really but I think it probably just reflects our belief that we know the intentions of and share our interests with those in "our group", not matter how big that group is.

Incidentally I've always thought that the term "scapegoating" refers to the erroneous attribution of blame, for some specific problem or just general woe, to a specific individual, usually within the group, who is then ostracised or exiled with the symoblic effect of taking the problem/woe with them. You seem to be using it to describe a more general and sometimes pre-emptive form of exclusion.
(flimflam_machine, Tue 1 Nov 2011, 11:07, 2 replies)

Sorry if I seem pessimistic but this is only a part of it.
I am actually quite optimistic about the future. Very recent research on the human brain, impossible before modern scanners, is coming up with some, to me, astounding stuff. For instance it has been shown by tracing neural pathways that the receptors triggered by nicotine withdrawal are the same ones triggered if you were forced to watch someone being tortured.* No wonder smoking is so easy to give up.
So I'm always optimistic that we can overcome most things, given time but I believe that first we have to identify the problem. And if the problem proves to be an automatic defence mechanism then the sooner we can work on bypassing it the better. However there is another barrier. The people most likely to want to neutralise isms are the victims of isms and by definition are in the minority. Persuading the perpetrators to change is the biggie.
*Source: The Decisive Moment written by Jonah Lehrer or cop his website.
( edjogs Collared doves are shit., Tue 1 Nov 2011, 11:59, closed)

"The people most likely to want to neutralise isms are the victims of isms and by definition are in the minority. Persuading the perpetrators to change is the biggie.."
errrr no. Actually they are the 99%.

99% is not a minority.
(Gritty, yet fluffy. kipperpillock is obsessed with me =), Tue 1 Nov 2011, 14:25, closed)

Whoa there Bessie!
where did that sudden stat come from?
( edjogs Collared doves are shit., Tue 1 Nov 2011, 15:21, closed)

I'm not sure who came up with the slogan. It shouldn't matter.
www.occupytogether.org/downloadable-posters/

But the people seem keen =)

Probably because:-
wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

Click the link that says 'Allow Us to Introduce Ourselves'.

There is nearly 200 pages now, I've been reading it since it had 18. This is what happened to America.
(Gritty, yet fluffy. kipperpillock is obsessed with me =), Thu 3 Nov 2011, 4:41, closed)

***SWEEPING GENERALISATION ALERT***
The sound of massive leaps of logic being taken and wildly subjective conclusions being formed is ringing in my ears.
( number5 has been fighting tramps and losing., Tue 1 Nov 2011, 17:48, closed)

In regard to our capacity for co-operation
I think it is totally overshadowed by our capacity to be a unco-operative, "because we can".
(M61A1 CUPID- STUNTS, Tue 1 Nov 2011, 14:30, closed)