Hasty Generalization: When “Not All” Is a Legitimate Argument [#FallacyFridays]
Welcome to #FallacyFridays! On Fridays, we take a moment to look at flaws in logic in hopes that we don’t make them ourselves. But no matter when you read this, it will be beneficial to your intellectual growth. Today’s logical fallacy is called a hasty generalization. Make sure to read all the way to the end so you can take a quick quiz to test your knowledge of it.
But before we get started, I want you to know about a tool that may help you understand this and other fallacies. I know that some people learn better by writing or typing. If that is you, download this FREE digital copy of “#FallacyFridays: The Workbook.” It was designed to follow alongside #FallacyFridays lessons in order for you to better understand logical fallacies.
What is the Hasty Generalization fallacy?
The name of the fallacy kinda already shows how the fallacy works.
The hasty generalization fallacy occurs when you take a small number of incidences and assume, without evidence, that it applies to the larger group. It can also happen when you use biased evidence to reach a conclusion.
For example, say that you move into a large neighborhood made up of over 80 families with children. You see three youngsters fighting by the neighborhood playground. Now, you are thinking, “Man, all the kids in this neighborhood are ruthless!” Unfortunately, by making this claim, you are committing the hasty generalization fallacy. Less than 4% of the population of children is far too small a sample size to apply to the whole population of children in that neighborhood.
Here’s another example. You use flour to bake cupcakes and this particular brand is advertised as “America’s Best Flour” by the American Bakers Association. But then you find out that the association hardly ever uses this flour. Only for public events like live baking classes. You also find out that this flour company is paying the American Bakers Association to endorse their flour. Given the obvious bias, it would be a hasty generalization to conclude that this flour is actually the best flour to be ever produced in America.
Hasty generalizations occur due to small sample sizes and biased sample sizes. Click To TweetWhen Generalizations Are Useful.
There are times when it makes sense to make a general assumption. For example, at a gun range, it is a common mantra to assume that every gun at the range is a loaded gun. It does not matter if it is or is not technically true due to the desired outcome: everyone handling all guns with caution.
Here’s another example. Say you come across a two similar-looking snakes while walking: a coral snake and a scarlet king snake. Both snakes have red, black, and yellow on them. But only one of them is poisonous: the coral snake. In the coral snake, the red and yellow on the snake touch. In the scarlet king snake, the red and black touch. But let’s say you don’t remember which color pattern goes with which snake, letting you know which one is venomous. Even though it is a 50-50 chance of you touching the venomous coral snake, it is better to assume both snakes are venomous and avoid either of them.
Even if a generalization does not apply to every single part of a group, generalizations can actually be helpful tools to ensure your safety. Click To TweetQuiz Time!
Now that you’ve learned what the hasty generalization fallacy is, here’s a quiz to test your understanding. Which one of the following answer choices contains the hasty generalization fallacy?
A. Literally everything I own from H&M looks cute. All of H&M’s clothing is worth a buy!
B. Probably better to carry pepper spray with you when you go out. You don’t know when you might need it.
C. I like the Jonas Brothers. Their music is my favorite.
D. Just because someone is a human being who has reached sexual maturity doesn’t mean they have an STD. It would be a logical fallacy to conclude that.
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