Select the best answer for the question.
Which statement includes an example of a hasty generalization?
A. The horror film was boring and predictable, and it didn’t hold my attention.
B. People who gave the horror film high ratings must lack artistic vision.
C. After the first five minutes, I could tell that this horror film was terrible.
D. I had nightmares after watching the horror film, so the film must have caused my nightmares.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The best answer to the question is B. People who gave the horror film high ratings must lack artistic vision.
Explanation:
A hasty generalization is a logical fallacy that occurs when a conclusion is drawn from an insufficient or unrepresentative sample of data. In this case, option B exemplifies a hasty generalization by making a sweeping assertion about all individuals who rated the horror film highly, suggesting they all lack artistic vision based on an isolated instance or a small sample of their opinions. This conclusion is problematic because it disregards the diversity of perspectives and experiences that different viewers may have regarding the film.
To elaborate, hasty generalizations often stem from cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, where individuals seek evidence that confirms their existing beliefs while ignoring evidence to the contrary. The statement in option B assumes that anyone who enjoyed the film must not possess a nuanced understanding or appreciation of artistic qualities in cinema, which is an overreach. It neglects the possibility that these viewers may have different tastes, interpretations, or criteria for what constitutes an engaging film.
Examining the other options:
- A expresses a personal opinion about the film’s quality but does not generalize about all viewers.
- C provides a subjective conclusion based on a brief viewing experience but does not attempt to generalize to a wider population.
- D suggests a causal relationship between watching the film and having nightmares, which could be seen as anecdotal evidence but does not generalize about the population of viewers.
In contrast, option B makes an unfounded leap from individual opinions to a broad judgment about a group, demonstrating the essence of a hasty generalization.