Question

In descriptions of interaction between people and the environment, the term "environmental determinism" implies that

A) the physical environment exclusively shapes humans and their actions

B) humans by their actions and technologies alter the physical environment to suit their needs
C) determination of environmental limitations is a primary task of geographers
D) capitalist economies do not contribute to global environmental degradation
E) there exists no interacting relationship between people and their surrounding physical environment

Answer 1

The correct answer is A) the physical environment exclusively shapes humans and their actions. The term "environmental determinism" implies that (A) the physical environment exclusively shapes humans and their actions.

Environmental determinism is the belief that human behavior is entirely controlled by the physical environment in which people live. It suggests that environmental factors such as climate, terrain, and available resources are the primary factors that shape human culture, behavior, and social organization. This viewpoint suggests that people are passive recipients of their environment and have little control over their own lives and actions.

Option (B) is incorrect because it describes the opposite viewpoint of environmental determinism, known as possibilism, which holds that humans can shape their environment to suit their needs and are not entirely controlled by it.

Option (C) is incorrect because while geographers may study environmental limitations, it is not their primary task, and the concept of environmental determinism extends beyond the field of geography.

Option (D) is incorrect because the concept of environmental determinism is not related to capitalist economies or environmental degradation.

Option (E) is incorrect because environmental determinism specifically implies that there is a relationship between people and their surrounding physical environment, albeit one that is largely deterministic.