Which term applies when generalizing characteristics of an individual based on their membership in a social group?

The term that applies when generalizing characteristics of an individual based on their membership in a social group is indeed Division. This concept involves attributing the traits or qualities of a larger group to an individual solely because they belong to that group. It reflects a logical fallacy where someone might assume that all members of a particular social category share the same characteristics, which overlooks individual variations and nuances.

A detailed understanding of Division helps to highlight the importance of recognizing individuals as unique entities rather than mere representatives of a collective. This clarification is crucial in discussions surrounding stereotypes and generalizations, where it becomes evident that such assumptions can lead to misjudgments and reinforce biases.

In this context, while the other terms represent different types of logical fallacies or reasoning errors, they do not specifically pertain to the act of generalizing individual characteristics based on group identity in the same manner as Division does. For example, Hasty Generalization refers to making broad conclusions based on insufficient evidence, while Faulty Analogy draws unwarranted parallels between dissimilar situations. Selected Instances involves choosing specific examples to support a claim, which differs from the generalization process described in this question.