====== Hasty generalization ======

Based on (too) few examples, a rule is established that purports to be universally valid.

Example:

> My ex-boyfriend cheated on me.
> <s invalid "Hasty generalization">All men are cheaters!</s>

As devastating as bad experiences in relationships can be – surely not //all// men are cheaters. The same is true for women, for that matter.

===== Other names =====

  * Overgeneralization
  * Over-extension
  * Faulty induction

===== Description =====

This is an error that occurs when a //generalization// is based on only a (too) small number of observations of a phenomenon.

This is particularly objectionable if the generalization refers to a diverse group and one could therefore find example cases for virtually any attributes (<span maniculus "see:">[[rhetorics:red_herrings:ad_hominem:guilt_by_association:nutpicking|Nutpicking]]</span>).

In the worst – and probably also most frequent – case, this is applied to groups of people, who can thus be associated with prejudices. Certainly, in any group of people one can find people who seem to confirm common stereotypes: undoubtedly there are radical Muslims, greedy Jews, hard-drinking Irish or Germans who are Nazis, as well as sexist men and irrational women. In none of these cases, however, are the examples sufficient to ascribe these attributes to the respective group as a whole (<span maniculus "see:">[[knowledge:anecdotes:index|Anecdotal evidence]]</span>).

===== More examples =====
==== Children’s language ====

It is a normal process in the language acquisition of children that they like to use crude generalizations in a certain phase (usually at the age of about 2-3 years). For example, every four-legged animal is called a "dog", or every means of transportation is called a "car".

==== Corrupt politicians ====

> Politician A is corrupt.
> <s invalid "Hasty generalization">Therefore all politicians are corrupt.</s>

There is no doubt that there are politicians who have proven to be corrupt – and quite a few who behave at least dubiously. But to conclude from this that all politicians are corrupt is clearly unfair.

There are certainly also people who enter politics out of idealistic or even altruistic motives. How large their share is, however, can be discussed controversially.

<aside info>
**Note:** Power always tempts people to abuse it - but the temptation is much less when there is a fear that the wrongdoing will not go undetected. This is why independent media and transparent access to relevant government documents are so important for a democracy. And for this reason, it should always be a warning signal when politicians try to evade monitoring by citizens or by the press. This is true regardless of their political orientation. 
</aside>

===== See also =====

  * [[knowledge:anekdoten:hauptseite|Anecdotal argument]]
  * [[mathematics:statistics:selection:willkuerliche_stichprobe|Convenience sampling]]
  * [[causality:correlation|Correlation fallacy]]
  * [[mathematics:statistics:interpretation:ecological_fallacy|Ecological fallacy]]
  * [[glossary:induction|Induction]]
  * [[generalisation:mereological|Mereological fallacy]]

===== More information =====

  * [[wp>Problem of induction|Problem of induction]] on //Wikipedia//
  * [[https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/tools/lp/Bo/LogicalFallacies/100/Hasty-Generalization|Hasty Generalization]] on //Logically Fallacious//