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Making Generalizations

A generalization is a broad statement that applies to many examples. A generalization is formed from several examples or facts and what they have in common.

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27 views

Making Generalizations

A generalization is a broad statement that applies to many examples. A generalization is formed from several examples or facts and what they have in common.

Uploaded by

Isiah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture 04: Making Generalizations

MAKING GENERALIZATIONS

Generalization is a broad statement about a class or category of people, things, or ideas based on a study of
some of its members.

Important Things to Remember about Generalizations:

• A generalization should be based on facts &/or valid observations


ex. Many archaeologists teach, in addition to digging for artifacts, working in museums, and translating
old writings.

• When gathering facts or observations, look at the data to find patterns and connections.
For example, in the above generalization, the writer looked at the results of a survey. In the survey, the
writer saw an emerging pattern — that many archaeologists teach, in addition to the work an
archaeologist does.

• Generalizations should be checked for validity.


Words that signal a faulty generalization: all, none, never, greatest, worst
Words that signal a valid generalization: some, most, in general, typically, usually

• A stereotype is a broad generalization about a group of people based on gender, ethnicity, or religion.

• Generalizations rely on samples taken of a class – not in studying everybody or everything in a class.

• A generalization must be adjusted by a single contrary case.

• A generalization is made stronger by finding a larger sample and by finding more representative samples.

Sweeping Generalization vs. Hasty Generalization

Sweeping generalization is erroneously applying a general situation to a specific instance.

You get what you pay for. Therefore, it is better to spend $200 on that t-shirt at that boutique shop than
buy the same at Marshall’s.

Filipinos are hospitable. Luis is a Filipino. Therefore; he is hospitable.

Hasty generalization is erroneously applying a specific instance to a general situation.

That $29 shirt at Marshall’s is a great deal. Therefore, everything at Marshall’s is a great deal.

Luis is a Filipino. He is hospitable. Therefore, all Filipinos are hospitable.

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