Differences are influenced by where people live, socioeconomic backgrounds, levels of education,

religion, and individual lived experiences. These factors influence how people view and read their world
(Gee, 1996; Vygotsky, 1986). Diversity exists within any cultural group. And it is common that people
make generalizations based on unexamined assumptions and perceptions that can sustain stereotypes.
Why is generalization dangerous and how do you avoid it?

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS OVERGENERALIZATION?

Overgeneralization is a common cognitive distortion, and one in which a person comes to a general
conclusion based on a single incident or a single pieces of evidence. It doesn’t matter to this person if
the evidence is flimsy or lacking in validity, when a bad thing happens once, they expect it to happen
over and over again.

Generalizations are very broad statements, covering whole groups of people or things. There is the
implication that there are few, if any exceptions. This is both their strength, as well as their weakness.

We make generalizations about objects in order to make sense of the world.

When do generalizations move into stereotypes? Stereotypes are overgeneralizations; they often
involve assuming a person has certain characteristics based on unfounded assumptions.

We stereotype people based on how they look in terms of sexual orientation, gender, race, and
ethnicity. We look at people and may assume they have a certain sexual orientation or that their gender
is either man or woman. We may assume they are white, African American, Native American, Asian
American, or Latino.

We may be right or we may be wrong.

BODY 1

Ineffective decision making

Overgeneralizing leads us to some strange, absolute conclusions that can seriously skew our ability to
make effective decisions. When you engage in blanket-thinking, it can lead to basing your choices
around faulty ideas. Decisions both big and small come into play then, leading to further heartbreak and
a number of missed opportunities that work together to undermine our long term happiness and
wellbeing.

Limited ability to see outside the box

When we overgeneralize, we revert our thinking and keep it limited. These limitations leak into our
beliefs and pervert how we see ourselves and the real world. Over time, these beliefs lead us to believe
that things cannot be done, or even that they should not be done; closing down our reality and making it
impossible for us to see outside the box.

Limiting our beliefs and thought processes limits the opportunities we find in the world around us.
When we lean on overgeneralizations, it makes us see the world in black-and-white and causes us to
shut down and shut out any potential doorways to growth. Thinking in definitive and polarized terms
will cause you to turn away and dig yourself into a rut that further undermines your happiness and
wellbeing. It’s like a trap. One that’s nigh on impossible to escape without the right self-realization.

#2 Assumptions Lead To Anger

It’s not hard to see why negative assumptions are irritating. If someone assumes you’re incompetent
with technology because you’re over forty, it’s insulting. Positive assumptions can be dangerous as well.
Just ask a seven-footer if he’s good at basketball. You’re almost guaranteed to get a negative response.

Generalizations create expectations of the person in front of us. Think how you treat your friends or
partner. How many times do you think you are “right” about that person? We generalize from past
experiences: she cheated on her taxes once, so she’ll likely do it every year. And we may miss any
changes she’s made.

BODY 2

Perpetuating toxic stereotypes

While overgeneralizing can cause many personal problems, it can also leave us at odds with our
environment by fostering the perfect conditions for discrimination and hateful behavior and beliefs.
Overgeneralized thinking can leak out of our internalization and cause us to blanket-judge entire groups
of people — a symptom which leads to sexism, racism and even homophobia and transphobic beliefs
that are harmful both to us and those we interact with on a daily basis.

We also stereotype people based on what we assume about particular categories of identity and what
other characteristics are associated with those categories. Some people assume that people who look
“homosexual” are sexual predators; that women are nurturing and men are violent; that white people
are arrogant; African Americans are loud; Native Americans are drunks; Asian Americans are smart; and
that Latinos are lazy.

They signify a gap or lack in understanding. We typically stereotype those whom we do not understand
or about whom we have no knowledge.

A cultural generalization is a statement about a group of people. For instance, saying that US Americans
tend to be more individualistic compared to many other cultural groups is an accurate generalization
about that group.

A cultural generalization may become a stereotype if it is definitively applied to individual members of

we can hate, harm, harass before we have a chance to learn.

Examples of group generalizations are: lesbians are men-haters, Mexicans are lazy, Republicans are
wealthy, old people are wise, men are controlling bullies, women are over-emotional, Whites are racist,
Muslims are terrorists, Jews are good with money, Christians are fair-minded.

BODY 3
We can avoid generalization by disciplining ourselves to be more open-minded and welcoming towards
the people we know and meet. We listen to other people’s stories and practice empathy by appreciating
each other’s differences and life experiences. Furthermore, we must think deeply before we say
anything to other people, as we are already trying not to utter fallacious and offensive statements. If
one is unsure of someone’s identity, belief, or ideals, it is much better to ask than to assume it for clear
assurance.

1. identify thought patterns, replace negative thoughts, and be open-minded.

1. Learn how to identify your thought patterns

In order to overcome thought patterns that hold us back or keep us scared, we have to learn to identify
those thought patterns as they happen, and then develop the counter-skills we need to combat them.
Learning how to identify our negative thought patterns is one of the most transformative skills we can
master, but it takes time and practice to cultivate.

When you notice an overgeneralized thought coming on, take a step back and notice it. Try too to
identify what it was that triggered the thought, or what it was that sent you into the thought look that
led to the overgeneralized thought. Be honest, and don’t shy away from your worst reactions — they
can be important identifiers in learning how to mark your downward thought-spiral.

2. Be accurate in your speech (and thoughts)

One of the biggest dangers of overgeneralized thinking is the deeply held beliefs and viewpoints it can
help instill. Overgeneralized thinking is all about going from 0–100, and in that acceleration we often
lose sight of the reality of the situation. Getting past our overgeneralized thoughts requires us to be
accurate in our speech and grounded in reality at all times.

Whenever you sense your thoughts slipping toward absolute words like “always or “never” stop, and ask
yourself if you’re honestly assessing the situation or your place in it. Do you really never get what you
want? Does your partner actually disrespect your feelings always? This kind of absolute language is the
primary sign of overgeneralized thinking, and the easiest identifier when looking for thoughts that need
to be stopped.

3. Replace negative thoughts

Replacement is one of the better techniques to utilize when it comes to retraining our thoughts.
Negative thoughts are uncomfortable and so is overgeneralized thinking. Rather than turning away from
those thoughts, it’s best to embrace them and then switch them off by replacing them with their more
positive alternatives.
Rather than thinking about what you aren’t, try thinking about what you are. Negative thoughts are
often irrational and based in distortions of reality. When we replace those thoughts with positive ones
(which are based on real, verifiable strengths or virtues that we have) we can combat the negative
thoughts in a way that is more productive.

Instead of thinking, “I always look so ugly,” look through flattering pictures or focus on the parts of your
body that you adore. Those are things that exist right here, right now. They are real things that we can
celebrate, but we have to have the courage to see them.

4. Embrace adversity

As humans, we have complex thoughts, emotions and reactions which are evolutionarily designed to
keep us safe from danger and heartache. When we face an unpleasant situation, these dynamic systems
kick into gear and often cause us to turn and flee — thus protecting ourselves. The same goes for our
uncomfortable thoughts and unpleasant feelings. Whenever we feel an ugly thought or feeling coming
on, we often bury it beneath other repressed baggage. We have to learn to embrace adversity and the
ugly side of our humanity if we want to learn how to thrive.

Take a few minutes each day to look bravely into your own darkness. Embrace your feelings for what
they are, and begin trying to confront unpleasant thoughts and situations head on. Rather than waiting
for things to break down and blow up, pull back and practice a little compassion and acceptance.
Everything in this life is temporary and nothing can be outrun forever. Open up your arms and accept
your thoughts for what they are so you can start putting together a plan for a happier future.

Don’t minimize the thought patterns you identify, and don’t shy away from the uglier aspects of your
nature. Overgeneralizing happens to the best of us, so take it for what it is and know that there is a
better way to think and to feel. Know what’s reasonable and what’s beyond the line. You’re the only one
who can set boundaries for yourself, so stick to them. They’re the foundation to your happiness and
you’re their only protector.

5. Accept the journey

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, triumphs and defeats. We’re imperfect creatures, who
struggle with not only our external worlds, but our internal ones as well — making who we are a
continuous process of becoming and self-discovery that takes a lot of patience and a lot of radical self-
acceptance.

Accept the journey and accept that changing your thinking is not an overnight process. You will slip up
and fall back into old habits. That’s okay. Take those setbacks as another piece of invaluable knowledge
that can teach you more about what to do and what to avoid in future. Everything has a silver lining if
you know where to look.

Face your imperfections for what they are, and embrace them. Know that a backslide is just another part
of becoming who you are and keep practicing the techniques that help you reframe your thinking. Once
you’ve cultivated some radical self-acceptance, you’ll be able to stop the overgeneralizations and accept
real life for what it is.

CONCLUSION

A single event becomes a never-ending pattern of self-defeat. Their insecurities cause them to throw in
the towel before they’ve ever really given themselves a chance to begin. Overgeneralization is a cycle
that has to be broken, lest it overcome us and skew the way we view ourselves and the world and
people around us.

Leaning on overgeneralizations can create scary or intimidating thoughts, but they can be tackled and
redirected with a little understanding and know-how. Once you’ve learned how to identify your manner
and patterns of negative thinking, you can start to reframe those thoughts by challenging them and the
beliefs that reinforce them

Generalizations are neither good nor bad. However, they can be dangerous, if used improperly. The trick
is learning to use them proper