Overgeneralization
Overgeneralization draws a broad conclusion from limited or unrepresentative evidence. The example infers a change in all young men from the appearance of a subset.
THE IDEA
Overgeneralization
Overgeneralization draws a broad conclusion from too few or unrepresentative observations, overlooking counterexamples and differences within a group.
A story may cite the long hair and colourful clothes of young men as an example that they were being demasculinized and becoming effeminate; that one could no longer distinguish between boys and girls. The story treats the appearance of a subset as evidence about an entire gender. It also assumes that changes in fashion establish a loss of masculinity.
When to use it
In education, a teacher might overgeneralize from a student's poor performance in one subject to their overall intelligence.
In business, a manager might overgeneralize from a single failed project to the incompetence of the whole team.
In media reporting, a few isolated incidents of crime by a certain group can be overgeneralized to depict that group as fundamentally dangerous.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Story about young men's appearance
A story may cite the long hair and colourful clothes of young men as an example that they were being demasculinized and becoming effeminate; that one could no longer distinguish between boys and girls.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a time when you made a broad generalization from a single observation. What were the consequences?
How can you test whether a generalization you hold is based on sufficient evidence?
Consider a stereotype you are aware of. What limited evidence might it be based on?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)