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negative assortative mating
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negative assortative mating

genetics
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Negative assortative mating is a form of nonrandom mating where individuals tend to choose mates who are dissimilar to themselves in observable characteristics, or phenotype. This is the opposite of positive assortative mating (homogamy), where individuals choose mates similar to themselves.1

Assortative mating can occur in both human and nonhuman populations and is considered a factor in evolutionary differentiation within a population. While positive assortative mating is common, negative assortative mating involves avoiding mates with similar traits.12

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. assortative mating
  2. heredity - Nonrandom mating
  3. assortative mating

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