Generalizations and exceptions

[elrohwen]

If we just accept the generalizations without exceptions, there would be no discussion, therefore end of topic, no replies.

Linda

I agree! It would be a very boring discussion if we all just agreed with the generalization and moved on and didn't offer any interesting exceptions.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Kenny, read my post. I don't think people are trying to disprove the generalization - I think they're sharing an exception because exceptions make for interesting anecdotes. What else would we talk about?

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows...

 

[Nashville]

You're right, it was never something I considered before because it never seemed particularly noteworthy.

 

[AprilBaby]

Kenny, you working on rubbing someone the wrong way?

 

[decodelighted]

My cats are MUCH larger than my dog. Surely that much skew the average some, right?

 

[Imdanny]

Kenny, you wanted to talk about this subject of generalizations and exceptions, yes? There must have been some reason why?

Cehrabehra, I've been a fan of yours since I found your threads about cushions. I'd like to see pictures of yours one day when you have time because I think it's beautiful.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi All,

So, you all can't find any further discussion on --Men are generally stonger than women-- No science for you guys as in

Why is this true.(scientifically
Do men eat better.?
Is it genetic?
Are pygmy men also stronger than pigmy women?
Do men have more stamina than women.?

So Cool-- because people on PS want to participate and want to have something to say.

Because it may be their self interest is involved. Nowadays it appears to be harder to think beyond ones self interest.(a generization of course)

Because people think this a way to make them look smart-- somehow showing others that the generalization doesn't always hold true.
They actually want to challenge others.

Kenny, I'm glad you brought this up. People don't believe anything anymore. No-one knows anything more than anyone else
and we must keep pointing it out.

Thanks

 

[movie zombie]

kenny,

the problem with "dogs are larger than cats" is that it assumes we all buy into the same assumptions: we all know that lions are bigger than dogs.....

the better wording is "in general/generally, domestic dogs are larger than domestic cats". this use of language sets the "rules" for the discussion and better defines the generalization, leaves no doubt as to what is being discussed, and allows that there are exceptions.

most people speaking about generalizations do not clarify with language and thereby "invite" so-called exceptions into the discussion.

MoZo

ps and w/o those posting "exceptions" it could be a very boring converstaion.......

 

[risingsun]

There is something else to keep in mind. Generalization is one of the numerous forms of defense mechanisms, which people use. How do I know if your underlying assumptions are valid or whether you are defending your position from your defense structure. I used to teach on workshop on defense mechanisims. It was always interesting when people recognized their own defenses during the course of the workshop. We all have and need a defense structure. It is necessary to filter out a lot of material to avoid becoming overwhelmed. It also helps us filter out material that is not terribly relevant in our lives. There are however, defenses which cause us to become "stuck" in our lives. It's important to know the difference.

 

[kenny]

All good points.

 

[risingsun]

All good points.

Thank you, Kenny

 

[Cehrabehra]

Kenny, you wanted to talk about this subject of generalizations and exceptions, yes? There must have been some reason why?

Cehrabehra, I've been a fan of yours since I found your threads about cushions. I'd like to see pictures of yours one day when you have time because I think it's beautiful.

I feel so flattered! Really

I haven't seen my diamond since december and I'm not sure when I will again My only contact with it is the photos I've posted here and dreams about kenny's wedding lol I think - maybe - we will be going to oregon in the spring sometime. First stop will be safety box so I can eye my candy!!! lol

 

[yssie]

Sometimes people attempt to pass off their bigoted or otherwise inaccurate generalizations for valid ones. As a result, it's smart to be skeptical of generalizations until they're proven, imho.

This.

It's okay to generalise - right or wrong, we're all human, we all do it. It's not okay to use a generalisation as sole 'proof' or 'support' of a theory or occurence on an individual basis.

 

[Arkteia]

I think that generalizations are a form of observation statistics - probably if we take a 1000 dogs 900 of them are affectionate; if only 800 of a 1000-sample of cats are affectionate, it is an observable difference.

Now how many cats and dogs can you have in real life? It it is 10/10 the difference becomes negligible and at 5/5 it would disappear at all. But if you are sociable and have many friends you have a chance to observe at least 250 dogs and 250 cats, so you can see the difference. If you are not sociable and saw only your cats and dogs (supposedly you have no friends), you'd say "no, my cats..."

When I was 35, blonde, fair-skinned and reasonably tall, the head of local Swedish chapter was persuading me for an hour that I was Swedish and he could not miss a Swede, because I looked Northern. He was very dark, so I said he was generalizing. Not so long ago, my father told me we had Swedish blood in our family. To this day I do not know who was generalizing...