What does subtyping refer to in social psychology?

Subtyping refers to the cognitive process where individuals who do not conform to the general stereotype of a group are instead perceived as exceptions to that stereotype. This mechanism allows people to maintain their existing stereotypes while accommodating the presence of individuals or subgroups that exhibit atypical behavior. Essentially, when someone deviates from the expected characteristics of a stereotype, rather than adjusting the stereotype itself to be more inclusive, observers often create a subtype for these individuals, recognizing them as exceptions and thus protecting the overarching stereotype from contradiction.

In this way, subtyping can help reinforce stereotypes because it prevents the need to change the original beliefs about the broader group. This phenomenon is particularly significant in understanding how people navigate their social perceptions and biases, as it illustrates a cognitive bias that maintains existing stereotypes despite evidence to the contrary.