Definition of Assortative Mating



Assortative mating is one of the kinds of non-random mating in which the phenotype is the base for establishing the pair bonds. Take an example of a person who while choosing a mate gives preference to the physical traits as well as the ethnicity, interests, profession, religion and culture. There are two types of assortative mating i.e., positive mating and negative mating.

 


The positive mating is also termed as homogamy and this happens when the person prefers such mates who are alike and similar to him. On the contrary, if the person avoids mating with a similar person, it is called negative mating. Assortative mating does not only exist among humans but a variety of other species.

 

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