Generalization is the process of taking specific examples and drawing broader conclusions from them. For instance, if you notice that all dogs you meet are friendly, you might generalize that dogs in general are friendly animals. This helps us make quick decisions and understand the world around us, but it can sometimes lead to incorrect assumptions.
However, generalization can also be misleading. If someone assumes that all teenagers are irresponsible based on a few experiences, they may overlook the many responsible teenagers out there. It's important to recognize the limits of generalization and to consider individual differences to avoid unfair stereotypes.