If 99% of people do something, is it generalizing if I place an attribute on them?

Question

Knowing of course that the remaining 1% doesn't conform to the general population's behaviour?

Answer 1

Yes because, Democracy only works that way. Until 100% share the same thought, 99% will always be generalizing, its not absolute as to what can be generalization and what can't. If you have a room of 9 idiots and 1 smart kid, and 9 of them say Bush was Canadian, and one doesn't who are we taking for real???

Answer 2

- Nope not generalizing but good luck finding a situation like that

Answer 3

Generalizing by it's meaning implies that most or many of a certain group or thing is being lumped together in description. It also suggests that it's not to be taken as a fact. So, yes that would be generalizing. Just my view.

Answer 4

Yes, it's generalizing. Say you have a population of 10,000,000. 1% of that is 100,000 people, and that's a lot of people.

That said, generalizing isn't always wrong. Everyone does it anyone, as long as you don't let it cloud your judgement of people before you actually get to know them.

Also, your "n**i" example is incorrect. Most n***s were n***s BECAUSE they were "evil", not vice versa.  Most Germans were and are normal.

Answer 5

No. But there is not one thing that 99% of any one group does.

Answer 6

You would never be able to prove 99% of them have that attribute.

EDIT: If you find one who breaks the stereotype, it would be inappropriate to place the attribute on everyone.

Answer 7

Yes because there is no way in Hades you can know what 99% of ANY group does or does not do.

Answer 8

it's okay because everyone has opinions

Answer 9

Yes, it is generalizing. However, to avoid generalizing, but staying true to reality, it's more proficient to say, 'Generally, most of these types of people do this, or that'. That shows people that you are aware that not all people do what your saying, but you've noticed a great deal do. Your also not putting a number on it. That number can get you in trouble, like we see here with some of the respondants. You just should make sure you have knowledge to back your statement.

You don't want to generalize by saying 'they all do this or that' because you'd be lying. But you also don't want to pretend that the majority of certain people don't behave or do a certain thing that you know they do, either. Otherwise you'd be lying for the sake of being PC.

Like for example, saying 'all humans have two arms.' You'd be generalizing, some people are born without arms. But you also don't want to say,' some people are born with arms, and some not', because that would be oversimplifying the truth which then becomes a superficial statement.

It's better to say, 'generally, people are born with both arms.'

EDIT: For people who believe that you can't find anything that a group of people do 99% of the time;   99% of healthy Americans ages 12 to 50, living in America, speaks some form of the American language. That language is an attribute that not all people on Earth are accustom to. You can find a 99% in many things. You just have to be accurate.

Wow, after all that explaination, I still get thumbs down. I just can't win. I wish I thought like everyone else....Sure would be easier.