Anecdotal fallacy
Also known as Anecdotal evidence
Logical fallacy
The anecdotal fallacy is using a personal story or a few examples as proof of a general claim while ignoring broader evidence. A single vivid case can feel more convincing than statistics, especially on emotional topics like health, even when it is unusual.
In everyday life
Someone insists smoking is harmless because their grandfather smoked every day and lived to 95.
Your cousin says a certain car brand is junk because hers broke down twice, so you cross it off your list despite its top reliability ratings in large owner surveys.
Why your mind does this
Our ancestors survived by spotting patterns fast: rustling grass might mean a predator, and dark clouds meant rain. Filling gaps with a plausible story lets us act on thin information instead of freezing. A brain that sometimes sees a pattern that isn't there loses less than one that misses a real threat.
Its family, in 30 seconds: Stories & patterns
How to spot it
Notice when your evidence starts with 'I know someone who' or 'This happened to me'.
How to counter it
Ask what the larger data says, and treat one story as a reason to look closer, never as proof.
Same family: Stories & patterns
SourcesFreling et al. (2020)·Wikipedia