Meaning & Definition of word "Generalization"
Generalization
/ˌdʒɛnərəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
noun:
- 1. A general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases.
- Example: The generalization that all birds can fly is not accurate, as some birds, like ostriches and penguins, cannot.
- 2. The act of forming general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances.
- Example: In her research, she made a generalization about patient behavior based on her observations.
- 3. A broad statement or idea that applies to many situations.
- Example: His generalization about the workforce overlooked the diversity of skills and backgrounds.
Etymology
●From the late Latin 'generalizatio', from 'generalizare', meaning to make general.
Common Phrases and Expressions
generalization error:
A mistake made by applying a general rule to a specific case where it does not apply.
hasty generalization:
A fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn from insufficient evidence.
overgeneralization:
The act of making a general statement that is too broad and does not account for exceptions.
Related Words
specificity:
The quality of being specific rather than general.
particularization:
The act of making something specific or particular.
abstraction:
The quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
Slang Meanings of generalization
Meaning: Going off on a tangent
● Example Sentence: Don't generalize, you're going off on a tangent!
Meaning: Making broad strokes
● Example Sentence: He's making broad strokes when he generalizes about that group.