Hasty Generalization
Drawing a broad conclusion from a sample that's too small or unrepresentative.
- informal
A hasty generalization leaps from a few cases — sometimes a single one — to a sweeping rule about an entire group or category. The sample is too small, biased, or atypical to support the conclusion drawn from it.
Examples
- “Two drivers cut me off this morning — people in this city are all aggressive.”
- “The first three reviews of the restaurant were glowing, so the food must be excellent across the board.”
Why it works & how to counter
Persuasive because a few vivid cases feel like enough to see a pattern. Counter it by asking whether the sample is large and representative enough to justify a claim about the whole group.