Questions and Answers
Define possibilism.
The theory that the physical environment may set limits on human actions, but people have the ability to adjust to the physical environment and choose a course of action from many alternatives.
What is the opposing view of possibilism?
Environmental Determinism
Which do modern geographers favor, possibilism or environmental determinism?
Possibilism
Define environmental determinism.
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Study Notes
Possibilism
- Describes the ability of humans to adapt and choose from various options within the constraints of the physical environment.
- Emphasizes human agency in decision-making despite environmental limitations.
Environmental Determinism
- Represents the opposing theory to possibilism.
- Suggests that the physical environment directly influences human behavior, culture, and development.
- Dominated geographical thought in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Modern Geographical Preference
- Contemporary geographers predominantly support possibilism over environmental determinism.
- Reflects a shift towards understanding human adaptability and actions beyond environmental constraints.
Historical Context of Environmental Determinism
- Associated with early geographic studies focused on linking human activities to physical geography.
- Advocated the belief that human behaviors and societies were shaped by environmental factors alone.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the concept of possibilism in geography, exploring its definition and comparison with environmental determinism. Test your understanding of how humans interact with their physical environment and which viewpoint is favored by modern geographers.
