Overgeneralization or

(Hasty Generalization)

By Ally Lubas and Camille Barlow

 Definition of Fallacy

Too few instances are presented to reach an accurate

conclusion.
 Illustrated Fallacy

url GIRLS LIKE DRESSES url

Visual Example

url
 Analysis #1
Body Fortress protein powder portrays a masculine visual element, showing that this
product may only appeal to men. The meaning system suggests that the muscular man seen
embodies an invincible quality persuading consumers that in order to be considered masculine in
society, claiming that you must contain enormous muscles in order to drink their product. These
characteristics are lead to be only achieved by men in this ad and numerous other protein drinks
while excluding women and their capabilities to gain muscle. Men who dont have a muscular
body build are alienated from this ad and picturistic idea of males. Similar to a lovemark, the ad
uses the strong emotional appeal of muscles to attract men to their product in order to gain
respect from others. Ultimately, only men are targeted in protein powder ads because society
believes women should be dainty and cute while men are held to be muscular and fearless;
showing the overgeneralization fallacy in this ad.
Excerpt From Text

url
 Analysis #2

Especially on social media, gender roles play a huge part in our society. A trend
hashtagging #ThingsGirlsLike largely surfaced on twitter for months, objectifying foods, clothes,
apps, movies, TV shows, etc. to the female gender. The fallacy of overgeneralization popped up
all over twitter with tweets that declared a food such as nutella to be something girls like.
Although bystanders claimed this trend was ignorant and irrelevant, the constant tweets
continued to flow every time someone hit the refresh button. An object as random as phone
cases were subjected to what girls like; however, phone cases are for all genders. Overall, this
trend portrayed gender roles to an extreme; society decided to divide girls and boys by what they
may enjoy, although both sexes could easily appreciate the same items.
Original Product

url
url
url
url
 Analysis #3

Our product is an all pink bed with an optional pink canopy, and it includes a button where
beautifying sparkles come down from the canopy upon the face of the sleeper. The target
audience is girls of all ages and excludes boys which is our overgeneralizing fallacy because
boys could also use this bed. The purpose of the product is to make the sleeper prettier
overnight and to give them completely peaceful sleep. We included an intriguing statement that
said, Those who sleep in this bed and use its splendid quirks are stunning! This declamation
is a premise and the common ground fallacy. The next fallacy we used is the either/or fallacy,
Do you want to sleep in this bed or never sleep peacefully again? to exaggerate the beds
comfort. There is a large amount of swirly/curly text to emphasize the girly aspects of the
product, along with enormous amounts of pink. The use of clean cut lines are to illuminate the
peacefully, cleanliness of the product.