Overgeneralization is a cognitive distortion where a person makes broad conclusions based on limited evidence. For example, if someone fails a single test, they might think, "I always fail," even though this is not true. This thinking pattern can lead to negative feelings and hinder personal growth. In language and communication, overgeneralization can occur when individuals apply rules too broadly. For instance, a child learning to speak might say "goed" instead of "went," applying the regular past tense rule to an irregular verb. This shows how overgeneralization can affect both thought processes and language development.