What is the term used to describe the tendency to categorize situations or outcomes into binary options?

The term that best describes the tendency to categorize situations or outcomes into binary options is binarization. Binarization refers to the process of converting a range of values, situations, or outcomes into two distinct categories, often oversimplifying complex issues by framing them in terms of "either/or" scenarios. This concept is frequently encountered in various fields, including psychology, sociology, and data analysis, where the nuances of a situation may be overlooked in favor of simpler, dichotomous classifications.

In contrast, dualism involves philosophical viewpoints where two concepts or entities are fundamentally distinct and often oppositional, such as mind and body. While related to binary thinking, it does not directly reference the categorization process itself. Reductionism refers to the approach of analyzing complex phenomena by breaking them down into their simplest components, which can lead to oversimplifications but is not specifically about binary categorization. Segmentation generally pertains to dividing a broader category into smaller segments, which does not necessarily imply a binary choice. Thus, binarization is the most accurate term for this specific phenomenon.