1. The process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
   "The scientist's generalization of patterns from the data led to a breakthrough";
   - abstraction, generalisation [Brit]
    
2. Reasoning from detailed facts to general principles
   "Scientists use generalization when forming hypotheses based on observed data";
   - generalisation [Brit], induction, inductive reasoning
    
3. An idea or conclusion having general application
   "he spoke in broad generalizations";
   - generalisation [Brit], generality
    
4. (psychology) transfer of a response learned to one stimulus to a similar stimulus
   "The child's fear of dogs showed stimulus generalization to other furry animals";
   - generalisation [Brit], stimulus generalization, stimulus generalisation [Brit]

Derived forms: generalizations

Type of: carry-over, colligation, idea, theorisation [Brit], theorization, thought, transfer, transfer of training

Encyclopedia: Generalization