Generalization

One of the three major modeling processes (alongside deletion and distortion) on which the Meta Model is based. Generalization occurs when a single experience or a small number of experiences is used to represent an entire class of experiences. For example, 'People always let me down' generalizes from specific instances to a universal rule. While generalization is a necessary cognitive shortcut, over-generalization creates limiting beliefs and prevents a person from recognizing exceptions that could update their model of the world.