To get a handle on understanding what is happening around us generalization is a widely used method. Some researchers even assess that when scientists develop their theory their induction process contains an automatic generalization bias influencing their findings.

Most people remain aware of their habit of generalizing their experiences and ideas. For them, the generalizing is only there to come to a conclusion they can question with concrete examples. They see it as a way to guide their thinking and be able to make decisions.

One can also consider this process as being part of developing an opinion. Being firm in having one’s opinion while holding it loosely becomes the process one can use to verify and challenge one’s opinion in multiple situations.

It is also true that it is not always possible to pay attention to every individual case or situation. But then, it is possible to undertake an effort to choose a type of generalization that distinguishes and names what is important and what may not need to be considered.

However, there is a situation in which generalization needs to be questioned. This always is the case, when the generalization is being treated like the truth. This happens, for example, when stereotypes or other types of generalizations are being used to push an opinion.

Sadly, this is something we’ll regularly experience in discussions on social media as well as in conversations. When an individual wants to feel competent and be seen as such it is attractive to quickly share a statement. It is seen as a way to gain status.

In parts, one may consider this reaction as generated by social media where everyone is invited to share his ideas and opinions and feels he has become an expert when doing so. And as everyone shares his or her ideas it seems as if we’d have to have an opinion on everything that we see.

But usually, instead of having a developed opinion, we’ll use the automatic reaction we can have in such a moment. It is based on knowing if we like something or not. Based on our liking and dislike at that moment, we’ll choose a generalization to argue. Most of the time it is done in the hope of getting to a situation one likes.