Human geography is the study of the relationship between people and their environment. Over time, different schools of thought have emerged in human geography, each with its unique approach to understanding the relationship between people and their environment. These schools of thought have changed the approaches to the study of human geography in various ways, as discussed below.
- Environmental Determinism
Environmental determinism is the belief that the physical environment, such as climate and terrain, determines human culture and behavior. This school of thought was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It influenced the study of human geography by emphasizing the importance of studying the physical environment and its impact on human culture.
- Possibilism
Possibilism emerged as a reaction to environmental determinism in the mid-20th century. This school of thought suggests that the physical environment provides a range of possibilities or opportunities for human culture and behavior, but it does not determine them. This approach led to a focus on human agency and the ways in which people adapt to and modify their environment.
- Cultural Ecology
Cultural ecology is an approach that emphasizes the complex interactions between people and their environment. It recognizes that culture and environment are interdependent and that human culture is shaped by the environment, but it also acknowledges that human agency can modify the environment. This approach led to the study of how different cultures adapt to their environment and how they manage natural resources.
- Behavioral Geography
Behavioral geography is an approach that emphasizes the importance of human behavior in shaping the landscape. This school of thought suggests that human behavior is not just a response to the physical environment but is also influenced by social, economic, and cultural factors. Behavioral geography has led to a focus on studying the behavior of individuals and groups and its impact on the landscape.
- Humanistic Geography
Humanistic geography is an approach that emphasizes the importance of the individual’s experience of the environment. This school of thought suggests that human geography is not just about studying the physical environment and its impact on human culture but also about understanding the ways in which people experience and interpret the environment. This approach led to a focus on studying the meaning and significance of places and landscapes to people.
In conclusion, the different schools of thought in human geography have changed the approaches to the study of human geography by emphasizing different aspects of the relationship between people and their environment. These approaches have led to a greater understanding of the complexity of the relationship between people and their environment and have expanded the scope of human geography beyond the traditional focus on physical geography.