Generalisieren

Generalisieren is a German verb meaning to derive general statements, rules, or principles from particular cases, or to apply a finding beyond its original context. The term is a loan from French and English, based on the Latin root generalis, and is used across academic disciplines as well as in everyday language.

In scientific and philosophical contexts, generalization describes the process of inferring broader claims from specific observations. This can refer to inductive reasoning, where a rule is formed from repeated instances, or to the formulation of general laws. In empirical research, generalization denotes the extension of results from a sample to a larger population, a process that depends on representativeness, design, and the control of bias. In language, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence, generalization also refers to recognizing patterns beyond memorized data and applying learned rules to new examples.

The related verb verallgemeinern is often used synonymously, though it can carry a nuance of broadening applicability or making statements about a wider group. Nouns related to the concept include Generalisierung (the act or result of generalizing) and, less commonly, Generalisation in some orthographies. Generalization is a common aim in science and analysis but a potential pitfall if based on insufficient evidence or biased samples.

Caution is advised to avoid overgeneralization, where conclusions extend beyond what the data can support. Qualifiers such as “in der Regel” or “häufig” are frequently used to temper general statements.