Word: Generalisation (British English) / Generalization (American English)
Part of Speech: Noun
A "generalisation" is when you take specific examples or facts and use them to create a broad idea or conclusion. It’s a way of thinking that helps us understand things in a simpler way by grouping similar things together.
You can use "generalisation" when you want to talk about making a broad statement based on specific cases. It’s helpful in discussions, writing, and when explaining ideas to others.
In psychology, a generalisation can refer to a learned response that applies to similar situations. For example, if a dog learns to associate a bell with food, it might also respond when it hears a similar sound, even if it’s not the exact bell.
While there are no direct idioms specifically using "generalisation," you can use phrases that suggest broad thinking or assumptions, such as: - "The exception proves the rule." (meaning that one case does not invalidate a general rule) - "Don't judge a book by its cover." (meaning don’t make generalizations based on appearances)
A generalisation is a useful concept in both everyday conversation and more specialized fields like psychology.