Samples of Generalizations That You Have Read or Heard

Samples of generalizations that you have read or heard

1. New is always better

This generalization does not fully satisfy the requirements of the three tests/guidelines. We are not informed of the number of the total population of people saying that ‘new is always better’ or have the preference on new things than old. In fact, we also do not know the how many samples were taken or how many people are included in the generalization. The varieties of time, places and circumstances as to which the generalization ‘new is always better’ is based is also unknown. Since this is more like a person’s perception on things, it may vary to different people. For this to be a reasonable generalization, the sample must be taken from a population of people having the same form of life.

2. Filipinos are conservative people

This generalization does not fully satisfy the requirements of the three tests/guidelines. We are not informed of the number of the total population of conservative Filipinos. We also do not know the how many samples were taken (number of Filipinos). The varieties of time, places and circumstances as to which the generalization is based is also unknown. This generalization is certain if pertaining to the past eras; since culture and ways of men vary through time, the time and circumstances are needed to be known.

3. Artists are going to end up poor and jobless.

This generalization also does not fully satisfy the requirements of the three tests/guidelines. The number of the total population of artists ending up poor and jobless is not given. We also do not know the how many samples were taken or how many people are included in the generalization. The varieties of time, places and circumstances as to which the generalization is based is also unknown. This claim is much more

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