10 Examples of Generalizations

A generalization It is a mental process in which universal features are identified from particular observations, to form a general concept with them. It is an abstraction of the common characteristics of like elements. Therefore, it is closely linked to inductive inference, a type of reasoning in which the conclusion It is reached from the generalization of the observations made in previous instances. For instance: The birds I saw have feathers. Therefore, all birds have feathers.

This concept is used in various disciplines and can acquire a particular meaning and use in some of them.

Characteristics of generalizations

Generalizations:

Types of generalizations

The generalizations are made from the sum of previous experiences, which makes it possible to dispense with the exceptions and particular cases. For instance: In autumn it rains a lot.

If all existing cases were known and there were no exceptions, one could categorically generalize. These are called complete generalizations. For instance: The residents of this hospice are over the age of eighty.

In most cases, however, all the data is unknown or it is accepted that there may be exceptions, so a general statement can be made, maintaining caution. These are incomplete generalizations and their enunciation uses nuances such as: almost always, in most cases, generally, habitually, frequently, among others. In these cases, it is made clear in the statement that the affirmationAlthough it is probably true, it is not one hundred percent certain. For instance: Children usually come home from school very hungry.

Incomplete or presumptive generalizations as arguments

In argumentative texts, debates or exchanges of ideas, incomplete generalizations are often used as an argument to support an idea. However, as stated above, when making incomplete generalizations:

• it is admitted that not all the facts are known.
• it is understood that there may be exceptions.

The weak point of this argument is precisely that a totality is judged or described based on specific experiences or cases.

For such an argument to be considered valid, the known cases from which the generalization is constructed must be:

• Enough. The number of observations must be reasonably large to justify a claim. Otherwise, it could be coincidences, coincidences, isolated events. The number of observations that is sufficient will depend on the size of the set on which it is intended. generalize and its variety, that is, the amount of differences between the elements that make it make up. The larger the set, the more variety it will include, and the larger the required observations should also be. In fact, the fallacy of hasty generalization consists in offering a generalization based on insufficient particular features. For instance: I have talked to a rich woman. She is very vain. It should be normal for rich women.
• Representative. The data are representative when they significantly reflect the characteristics of the set about which it is intended to generalize. For example, if to find out which candidate is the best positioned for the elections, only ask who will vote for young men from a specific neighborhood of the city, the sample will not be representative of the preferences of the entire population. This type of errors in the analysis of information is known as fallacy incomplete evidence or suppression of evidence. In it, the appropriate data are taken to support a statement and others that could contradict it are discarded or ignored.

Still, it doesn't make sense to disprove an incomplete generalization just because there are exceptions. As long as most cases conform to the rule, the generalization will be correct.

Examples of generalizations

1. In general, I don't like people who talk with their mouths full.
2. Allergies and respiratory problems appear frequently in spring.
3. Rubén is very punctual and usually arrives at the office half an hour before the others.
4. Most of the time when there are red clouds at dusk, the next day the sky is clear.
5. Flour foods are harmful to celiacs.
6. In winter temperatures tend to drop dramatically.
7. The films of that director make almost all the people cry.
8. Watermelon is a fruit that practically everyone likes.
9. Very few people do not suffer from the heat when the temperature is over 40 °.
10. Most of the time the baby cries, it is because she is hungry or sleepy.

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