Evolution
Frequency-Dependent Selection
Natural selection where fitness depends on how common or rare a trait is in the population. Negative frequency dependence favors rare types; positive frequency dependence favors common types.
Biological Context
Predators often focus on common prey types, giving rare color morphs an advantage (negative frequency dependence). Scale-eating fish alternate which side they attack from, maintaining left and right morphs at equal frequencies. This maintains genetic diversity that would otherwise be lost.
Business Application
Business frequency dependence: contrarian strategies succeed when everyone follows the same playbook. When markets crowd into popular strategies, uncommon approaches gain advantage.