Population Study Guide

Population Study Guide

• Vocabulary Review: Ensure understanding of all relevant terms.
• Population Trends: Study changes in populous regions over the next 10-20 years.
• Ecumene: Understand its meaning and percentage.
• Population Density Types: Master different density types (arithmetic, physiological, agricultural). Analyze their implications, understanding that high physiological density doesn't inherently indicate a problem. Be aware of how density data can be misleading.
• Crude Birth Rate (CBR), Crude Death Rate (CDR), Natural Increase Rate (NIR): Understand their definitions, relationships, and significance for growth rates. Note where these rates are highest and lowest across continents. Be able to differentiate which of the three is the MOST important measure of growth rate.
• Dependency Ratio: Define and understand its equation. Analyze the implications on societies with differing age distributions (e.g., very young or aging populations).
• Rule of 70: Define and explain how to calculate it.
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Replacement Rate: Understand their definitions. Zero/negative growth consequences should also be analysed.
• Demographic Transition Model (DTM): Sketches and descriptions of the model, including social and economic reasons for transitions, and stages for different countries. Understand how countries might fit into different stages according to the DTM.
• Population Pyramids: Basic shapes, types of countries they represent (e.g., expanding, stable, declining). Analyze examples.
• Thomas Malthus: His beliefs about population growth and potential solutions (or lack thereof). Be specific on his reasoning for his beliefs.
• Neo-Malthusians: Their agreement with Malthus and their supporting evidence.
• Critics of Malthus: Their arguments and who the main critics are.
• Carrying Capacity: Definition and consequences of exceeding it.
• Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM): Link to the Demographic Transition Model and apply it.
• Pro-Natalist Policies: Examples and rationale for use (e.g. countries implementing these policies). Understand the reasons for their implementation given specific examples.
• Anti-Natalist Policies: Examples and rationale behind their use. Understand the reasons for their implementation given specific examples.
• J-Curve and S-Curve: Understanding of the two curves and their importance in describing population growth. Differences between the two should be understood. Understand which curve represents which type of growth.
• Death Rates vs. Birth Rates: Analyzing how these change as countries develop. Understand whether death rate or birth rate typically drops first in industrialized nations.
• Areas described by DTM: Understand the regions (or countries) where the DTM was developed. Study the difference between J-Curves and S-Curves.
• Additional Points from Text:
  • Vocabulary Focus: Crucial to review all relevant vocabulary.
  • Population Density Analysis: Understand the application of different forms of population density analysis to various regions.
  • DTM Stages: Be able to classify countries into specific DTM stages using the information.
  • Analyzing Population Pyramids: Understand the shapes (expanded, stable, contracting) and associate them with specific countries.
  • Pro- and Anti-Natalist Policies: Understand the rationale behind the application of these policies (e.g. in specific countries).
  • Malthus and Critics: Know the key critics of Malthus and their specific arguments.
  • Specific Examples: Identify examples of countries associated with specific stages and policies. Be able to offer specific details about examples, showing an understanding of the concept.