The process of drawing a broad conclusion based on specific examples, or a statement that applies to many cases rather than just one.
From French 'généralisation' (16th century), derived from Medieval Latin 'generalis' (general), which comes from Latin 'genus' (kind, sort). The suffix '-ation' indicates a process or result.
Generalisation is a cognitive superpower—it's how humans learn patterns from limited experience and use them to navigate new situations. But it's also the source of stereotypes and bias, showing how the same mental tool that helps us learn can also mislead us.
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