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Generalization
/dʒˌɛnəɹəlaɪzˈeɪʃən/
/ˌdʒɛnɝəɫɪˈzeɪʃən/, /ˌdʒɛnɹəɫɪˈzeɪʃən/
Generalization
01
reasoning from detailed facts to general principles
02
an idea or conclusion having general application
03
the process of creating broad or universal principles by identifying common characteristics or patterns among specific instances
04
(psychology) the tendency to show an identical response to similar but distinct stimuli
Example
Statistical inference allows scientists to make generalizations about a population based on a sample of data.
Sarah's father always told her that honest men marry quickly, wise men not at all, but she didn't believe in such generalizations and chose to make her own decisions about marriage.
The belief that all politicians are corrupt because a few have been involved in scandals is a fallacy, as it relies on a hasty generalization and ignores the many politicians who act with integrity.