What is the key concept of subtyping in social psychology?

Subtyping in social psychology refers to the phenomenon where individuals who do not conform to a stereotype are categorized as exceptions to that stereotype, rather than leading to a re-evaluation or modification of the stereotype itself. This allows the overarching stereotype to remain intact, while preserving the belief in the validity of that stereotype. When people encounter individuals that do not fit a particular stereotype, instead of discarding or altering their preconceived notions about the group, they create a subclass or subtype that accommodates these exceptions.

For example, if a stereotype exists that women are not good at mathematics, and an individual woman excels in this area, instead of reconsidering the stereotype about women and math in general, people might say she is a “mathematical woman” or “exceptional woman,” which allows them to maintain their stereotype about women as a group. This mechanism can perpetuate stereotypes by allowing the broader categorization to remain unchanged, while only attributing individual differences to exceptions.