Generalize Quote by Gordon Allport
“Life is too short so we must generalize.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Nature of Prejudice, 1954
Life’s brevity urges us to make broad, inclusive judgments rather than over‑analyzing.
In simple terms: We should generalize because life is short.
Key Takeaway
Adopt broader perspectives quickly.
Themes
psychology
philosophy
human behavior
time
decision making
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- everyday decision making
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
generalization
efficiency
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it safe to generalize?
- How does time pressure affect judgment?
A Different Perspective
Over‑generalizing can lead to stereotypes.
![“Since we think about ourselves so much of the time, it is comforting to assume ... that we really know the score… [But] this is not an easy assignment. [As] Santayana wrote, 'Nothing requires a rarer intellectual heroism than willingness to see one's equation written out.'” quote by Gordon Allport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f3b/gordon-allport-29384_assignments_since-we-think-about-ourselves-so-much-o_1110919.jpg)
![“The dog [in Pavlov's experiments] does not continue to salivate whenever it hears a bell unless sometimes at least an edible offering accompanies the bell. But there are innumerable instances in human life where a single association, never reinforced, results in the establishment of a life-long…” quote by Gordon Allport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/488/gordon-allport-29384_accidents_the-dog-in-pavlov-s-experiments-does-not_1383042.jpg)
