Question

Which of the following statements would be considered a hasty generalization?

Each year the cost of Super Bowl advertising increases.
People should eat balanced meals and exercise regularly to stay healthy.
Children tend to imitate the poor behavior of their favorite television characters.
Fast food restaurants cause unhealthy eating habits.

Answer 1

Each year the cost of Super Bowl advertising increases

Answer 2

Fast food restaurants cause unhealthy eating habits.

Hasty generalizations are forms of logical fallacy. They are made based on little logic or facts. While someone making a hasty generalization may have some evidence to prove his claim, the evidence isn't widespread or fully researched. The cost of Super Bowl advertising can be easily proven as to be true. The statements about people eating balanced meals and children tending to imitate television characters are not statements of fact. The authors use the words should and tend to show that this doesn't apply to all. However, the last statement "Fast food restaurants cause unhealthy eating habits" is said as a statement of fact. However, it is a hasty generalization as there are many factors that go into a person's eating habits. Also, not all fast food restaurant food is considered unhealthy.