Final answer:
Selective mating is a type of non-random mating where individuals choose partners with specific characteristics, which can lead to changes in population traits over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a pattern of non-random mating where individuals choose partners based on specific characteristics, such as the length of their ring finger, is b) Selective mating. This concept can be categorized under assortative mating, where an individual's preference is to mate with partners who are phenotypically similar to themselves. This behavior can lead to changes within a population as certain traits become more prevalent.
One example of selective mating is the preference of female peahens for peacocks with bigger, brighter tails. Over time, through the process of natural selection, traits that lead to more mating success become more common within the species.
Non-random mating can alter population dynamics and can lead to increased genetic variance, as well as influence the phenomena considered under Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, such as sexual selection and directional selection.