Hasty Generalization Fallacy | Excelsior OWL

The hasty generalization fallacy is sometimes called the over-generalization fallacy. This fallacy occurs when an argument is based on a body of evidence that is simply too small. For instance, if your uncle was a lifelong cigarette smoker who lived into his nineties, it would be a hasty generalization to claim that smokers have a high life expectancy based on such limited evidence. In our comic below, you’ll see how a hasty generalization can occur in everyday life: Panel Two: Caption: Saturday. The Mall. Scene: A pair of teenagers gossip while, in the background, an adult couple observe them with bemused interest. Teen #1: Uh, did you see that? Panel Three: Teen #1: That guy totes tried to rizz me up! Teen #2: Suss. Panel Four: Teen #1: Simp vibes! Teen #2: I’m dead! As the teens exit the scene, the adult couple begin chatting. Woman: Did you understand any of that? Man: …no. Panel Five: The woman smiles and makes a joke, but her companion appears increasingly frustrated. Woman: We’r

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