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Making Generalizations. And no, it has nothing to do with GENERALS…. What is a generalization?. A generalization is a broad statement about what a group of people or things have in common.
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Making Generalizations And no, it has nothing to do with GENERALS…
What is a generalization? • A generalization is a broad statement about what a group of people or things have in common. • For example, using what you know and have observed, you could generalize by saying: “Most people in the United States greet each other with a handshake.”
There are “Good” and “Bad” Generalizations…. • You could say:“Most people in the United States greet each other with a handshake.” That’s because generally, speaking…that is the customary greeting in America and it is supported by fact. • You should NOT say: “All people in the United States greet each other with a handshake.” Saying “ALL” means everybody and that is unlikely to be true. • You should NOT say: “Most people in the world greet each other with a handshake.” People from all over the world greet each other in different ways so this statement wouldn’t be true.
“Clue words” to help find generalizations: • All • Always • Never • Most • Many • Sometimes • Generally
Be careful… • Be careful when using the words “ALL”, “NO”, “NONE”, “EVERYONE”, “NOBODY”, “ALWAYS”, “NEVER” etc. • These are clue words that generally show “bad generalizations.” Always and never are very strong words. • “I always do my chores” gives no room for error. Instead, say: “Most of the time, I do my chores.”
Safe or Valid Generalizations: • Valid means true. • Supported by facts • Uses logic and reasoning • Proven with several examples
Faulty Generalizations • Faulty means false. • Not supported by facts • Watch for the key words: none, all, always, never, everyone, nobody • Just one exception can prove a generalization false.
Chocolate is everyone’s favorite dessert. • What is wrong with this generalization? • How could you make it a valid generalization?
Good or Bad Generalization? • High school students love sports and movies. • Teenagers always dress in sloppy, baggy clothes. • Children in large families don’t get enough attention from their parents. • Russians hate America and French citizens are rude. • Many people love tacos!
Remember: • Generalizations make broad statements about a something. • Some are valid, others are faulty. • Valid generalizations are supported by facts, examples, and logical thinking. • Watch out for words like all or never.
Your Turn… • On a sticky note, come up with a generalization about students in the class. General Generalization will decide if it is a good (valid) or bad (faulty) generalization. General Generalization will decide