What reasoning error occurs when someone judges an entire category of individuals based solely on one person's characteristics, like concluding that all students mirror their parents' decency?

The reasoning error identified is known as hasty generalization. This occurs when a conclusion is drawn about a whole group based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence from just one or a few instances. In the example given, concluding that all students reflect their parents' decency based on the characteristics of a single student is a clear case of this fallacy. It overlooks the complexity and variety within the larger group by making a broad assumption based on limited information, which can lead to misinformed and inaccurate judgments about individuals within that category. This type of reasoning fails to recognize the individuality and diverse influences that shape each person, thereby undermining the validity of the conclusion drawn.