GENERALIZATION Meaning and
Definition
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Generalization is a cognitive process that involves forming a broad, general concept or principle based on specific instances or experiences. It is the act of drawing a broad conclusion or making a sweeping statement that applies to a wide range of situations or objects.
In psychology, generalization refers to the tendency of individuals to extend their learned knowledge or experiences from one situation to other similar situations. It is a fundamental aspect of human learning and reasoning, as it allows us to make predictions, solve problems, and make sense of the world around us. Through generalization, individuals are able to recognize patterns, identify similarities, and categorize objects or events into broader categories.
For example, a child who has learned to associate the word "cat" with a specific four-legged animal may generalize this knowledge to other similar animals, such as tigers or lions. Similarly, if someone has a negative experience with a particular brand of product, they may generalize this experience to other brands within the same category.
While generalizations can be useful and efficient shortcuts for processing information, they also carry risks of oversimplifying or distorting reality. Generalizations may lead to stereotypes or biases when applied to individuals or groups. It is important to recognize the limitations of generalizations and balance them with individual differences and unique circumstances to achieve more accurate and fair judgments.
Top Common Misspellings for GENERALIZATION *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for GENERALIZATION
Etymology of GENERALIZATION
The word "generalization" originated from the Latin word "generalis", which means "belonging to a whole, common to all, general". The word "generalis" is derived from the Latin word "gens" meaning "tribe, people, nation". Over time, the word "generalis" evolved to "general" in Old French, which eventually led to the formation of the word "generalization" in English.
Similar spelling words for GENERALIZATION
- general election,
- general agent,
- generalisation,
- generalissimo,
- generalised,
- general anatomy,
- General Custer,
- general medicine,
- generalship,
- general lien,
- generalized.
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