Questions and Answers
What do environmental determinism and possibilism theorize?
how much geography shapes culture
What are examples of environmental determinism?
tropical climates cause relaxed attitudes, variety of weather in middle latitudes cause more driven work ethics, cold climates make the people there brutish and harsh
Who pointed out faults in the environmental determinism theory in the 1920s?
Carl Sauer
What is believed more, possibilism or environmental determinism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of possibilism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Haiti an example of?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Environmental Determinism and Possibilism
- Theories explain the extent to which geography influences culture.
- Environmental determinism suggests geographical factors dictate cultural characteristics and human behavior.
Environmental Determinism Examples
- Tropical climates are associated with relaxed attitudes in society.
- Middle latitudes, with diverse weather patterns, encourage a stronger work ethic among inhabitants.
- Cold climates are thought to produce harsh and brutish people.
Critique of Environmental Determinism
- Carl Sauer identified flaws in the environmental determinism theory during the 1920s, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of human-environment interactions.
Prevalence of Theories
- Possibilism is more widely accepted than environmental determinism, emphasizing the role of human agency in adapting to environmental constraints.
Possibilism Example
- The Valens Aqueduct in Istanbul transported fresh water from 400 miles away, exemplifying human ingenuity in overcoming environmental limitations.
- The Dominican Republic serves as another example of how human innovation can adapt to geographical challenges.
Haiti
- Represents a case study in environmental determinism, illustrating how geographical factors can ostensibly influence cultural and societal outcomes.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the concepts of environmental determinism and possibilism in geography and their influence on culture. This quiz covers key definitions, examples, and important figures associated with these theories. Test your understanding of how geography shapes human behavior and societal development.
