Assortative Mating (Noun)
Meaning
Mating of individuals having more traits in common than likely in random mating.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- Assortative mating is a common phenomenon in which individuals choose partners based on certain characteristics, such as physical appearance, personality, or interests.
- Research has shown that people tend to engage in assortative mating, selecting partners who share similar traits, values, and interests.
- In many animal species, assortative mating is often driven by physical characteristics, such as size or color, which can influence reproductive success.
- Studies have found that humans exhibit strong assortative mating patterns for traits like height, age, and education level, which can have implications for population health and social inequality.
- Evolutionary biologists have long studied assortative mating as a key factor shaping the evolution of populations, particularly in the context of speciation and adaptation.