HASTY GENERALIZATON
A logical fallacy that involves mistaking what would be an accurate observation in one circumstance for an accurate observation in all related circumstances. It is sometimes simplified by saying that it is the error of over-generalizing from a small sample size.
Overview:
Hasty generalization is one of the underlying errors in reasoning behind stereotyping (e.g. I once knew a college professor who was boring, so therefore all college professors must be boring). Gaining a larger sample size and deliberately sampling from a range of ‘subjects’ or ‘samples’ helps to fight against hasty generalization. Ultimately, qualifiers that limit the scope of the claim will also help (after taking a dozen classes in many subjects, it might be safe to suggest that “some” or “many” college professors are boring).
Remember that sample size and representative sample size matter. Also remember that multiple, independent points of comparison are preferable to a single, dramatic example.
Application:
Students need to be wary of sources that present a small sample size and then draw sweeping conclusions. Likewise, students themselves need to be sure that they are not Arguing from Anecdote or stereotyping. Most often, students will begin writing a paper and they will assume that their personal experiences with a subject are definitive for everyone (e.g. a student might claim “most people think that X is true,” when in reality what the student means is “I think this is true, and so does my friend who looked at my paper for me”).
Remember that in addition to noting what happened, a student writer must look at the situation and understand why it happened. Without this analysis (or worse, if relying on someone else’s analysis), the student is not investing the critical thought that is the goal of so many college writing assignments.
What to Avoid:
Because Hasty Generalization is a fallacy, it should be avoided. As mentioned, researchers of any kind should probably be careful with sources that use too small of a sample size, and students especially need to be careful that they do not overvalue their own experience or the experiences of those close to them. For example, a survey of one’s classmates would probably include a small number of people of similar cultural background and educational level compared to the more than 7 billion people on the planet.
Opinions and morals are especially common victims of the hasty generalization in some student writing. Many students will assume that because a relatively small number of people like or dislike something that all people share such an opinion.
If you’ve caught yourself lumping a group of people together with a single sweeping statement, there’s a decent chance you’ve committed this fallacy.
References:
Curtis, Gary N. “Hasty Generalization.” Fallacy Files. http://www.fallacyfiles.org/hastygen.html
A logical fallacy that involves mistaking what would be an accurate observation in one circumstance for an accurate observation in all related circumstances. It is sometimes simplified by saying that it is the error of over-generalizing from a small sample size.
Overview:
Hasty generalization is one of the underlying errors in reasoning behind stereotyping (e.g. I once knew a college professor who was boring, so therefore all college professors must be boring). Gaining a larger sample size and deliberately sampling from a range of ‘subjects’ or ‘samples’ helps to fight against hasty generalization. Ultimately, qualifiers that limit the scope of the claim will also help (after taking a dozen classes in many subjects, it might be safe to suggest that “some” or “many” college professors are boring).
Remember that sample size and representative sample size matter. Also remember that multiple, independent points of comparison are preferable to a single, dramatic example.
Application:
Students need to be wary of sources that present a small sample size and then draw sweeping conclusions. Likewise, students themselves need to be sure that they are not Arguing from Anecdote or stereotyping. Most often, students will begin writing a paper and they will assume that their personal experiences with a subject are definitive for everyone (e.g. a student might claim “most people think that X is true,” when in reality what the student means is “I think this is true, and so does my friend who looked at my paper for me”).
Remember that in addition to noting what happened, a student writer must look at the situation and understand why it happened. Without this analysis (or worse, if relying on someone else’s analysis), the student is not investing the critical thought that is the goal of so many college writing assignments.
What to Avoid:
Because Hasty Generalization is a fallacy, it should be avoided. As mentioned, researchers of any kind should probably be careful with sources that use too small of a sample size, and students especially need to be careful that they do not overvalue their own experience or the experiences of those close to them. For example, a survey of one’s classmates would probably include a small number of people of similar cultural background and educational level compared to the more than 7 billion people on the planet.
Opinions and morals are especially common victims of the hasty generalization in some student writing. Many students will assume that because a relatively small number of people like or dislike something that all people share such an opinion.
If you’ve caught yourself lumping a group of people together with a single sweeping statement, there’s a decent chance you’ve committed this fallacy.
References:
Curtis, Gary N. “Hasty Generalization.” Fallacy Files. http://www.fallacyfiles.org/hastygen.html
