Learn English – What do you call the tendency to oversimplify an issue

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I have noticed that there is a tendency in many people, and certainly in groups as a whole, to avoid, ignore, or trivialize complex and difficult issues by placing focus on issues that are similar and consequently much easier to discuss.

Sometimes this may be intentional, but I believe is generally a subconscious response to not being able to grasp complexity.

Usually, this results in a discussion that is inaccurate and does not adequately address the issue at hand.

In the various social or psychological studies, is there a term for this phenomenon? Alternatively, are there any informal terms or phrases that reference or could be used to describe it?

Best Answer

The word "simplism" is defined by Merriam-Webster as "the act or an instance of oversimplifying; especially: the reduction of a problem to a false simplicity by ignoring complicating factors".