Skip to main content

Quantitative revolution in Geography

Definition

QR refers to gain in emphasis of the use of mathematical and statistical tools or physical sciences to search for models,laws and theories in geography.
Antecedents
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, many events and developments presented threat to geography as an academic subject.Some of them are:
  • The closing of many geography departments and courses in universities took place, e.g., the abolition of the geography program at Harvard University
  • There was continuing division between human and physical geography – general talk of human geography becoming an autonomous subject.
  • Geography was regarded as overly descriptive and unscientific –it was claimed that there was no explanation of why processes or phenomena occurred.
  • Geography was seen as exclusively educational –there were few if any applications of contemporary geography.
  • Continuing debates regarding what geography is –science, art, humanity or social science–took place.
  • After World War II, technology became increasingly important in society, and as a result, nomothetic-based sciences gained popularity and prominence.
Underlying Philosophy
  1. Empiricism (direct observation, data collection,etc)
  2. Positivism (quantification, processing of data to arrive at conclusion)
  3. Functionalism (system analysis)
  4. Nomothetic (law seeking approach)
Tools
  1. Statistics i.e mean,median ,mode,standard deviation,etc
  2. Mathematics like algebra,geometry,trigonometry,etc.
  3. Economical theories(adam smith,Kant,etc)
  4. Physics (universal law of gravitation,etc)
  5. Cybernetics
  6. Biological sciences (system analysis,etc)
Approaches
  1. Locational Analysis
  2. Spatial Analysis
  3. System Analysis
Stages
Phase 1(1818-1915)
  • Neo classical economics theories  used in model building
  • Van Thunen agricultural model, Weber industrial location theory,Ravenstein’s laws omigration,etc
Phase 2(1915-1955)
  • Model building related to settlement geography
  • Central place theory,primate city,rank size rule,etc
Phase3(1955-76)
  • Phase of quantitative revolution.
  • Great use of quantitative tools in geography in order to develop theories,Laws and models.
  • Almost every element of the discipline of geography was influenced by QR
  • Neil Harvey in physical Sciences,T.Stamp in agricultural geography, Weaver's crop combination method, Chorley & Berry’s system analysis, P.Haggett and Bunge’s locational analysis,etc  were part of this phase.
  • After 1976 it declined. It was also said that geography is cutting their fingers with their own tools.
Phase 4(1976 to present)
  • It’s called phase of critical revolution.
  • Human and welfare geography replaced QR.
Criticism

  • Assumptions during model building considered humans as economic and rational being neglecting its humanistic aspects of emotions,sentiments,beliefs,etc.
  • Geography became a space geometry and central theme of geography describing man-nature relationships lost.
  • Geographical models  lacked universal applicability.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DAVIES,PENCK & KING

Geographical Cycle of Davies William Morris Davies was an american geographer who gave first general theory on landform development.. Davis' most influential scientific contribution was the "geographical cycle",  which he defined in an article,’ The Rivers and Valleys of Pennsylvania ,’ published at the end of 19th century. According to him, uplifted landmass undergoes sequential development or erosion till base level in various stages.This sequential development referred as cycle of erosion. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES 1.Cyclic nature of landform evolution. 2 Uniformitarianism:The same physical processes and laws that operate today, operated throughout geologic time, although not necessarily always with the same intensity as now BASIC POSTULATES Upliftment takes place on featureless plain which he modified 10 yrs later to accept it can occur from geosyncline. Upliftment on geological timescale is sudden.In later works, he accepted it to be episodic. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rimland Theory

It was given by John Spykman which was published posthumously. It was a reaction to Mackinder’s Heartland Theory.He also believed in historical struggle between land and sea powers.But, his view were similar to Alfred Mahan’s idea of supremacy of sea power. CRITICISM OF HEARTLAND 1.Climatic hazards and physiographic difficulties 2.Non-ecumen region devoid of most important human resource.Thus,Resources remain unutilized. 4.Accessible from west and south West and merely few hours distance from N America RIMLAND It was similar to Mackinder’s inner crescent which comprised 3 sections 1.European Coast 2.Arabian middle east desert land 3.Asiatic monsoon land ADVANTAGES OF RIMLAND 1.¾ th of population and most of world resources like coal,petroleum,iron ore,etc. 2.Largest agricultural tract. 3.Suitable climate. 4.Variety of human race. According to him,those who control rimland,rules eurasia.And who rules eurasia controls destinies of world. APP...
2 comments
Read more

Heartland Theory

Concept was given by Mackinder in 1919 in his book ,”Democratic Ideals and reality”.It was modification of Pivot concept given by him in 1909 in his book,”Geographical pivot of history”.Concept of heartland was influenced by Bolshevik revolution and emergence of USSR as world power.                        According to him, geography is history and geography is cause.He tried to  explain how geographical advantages results in geopolitical domination.His theory successfully explains emergence of USSR as great power which he thinks is result of geographical advantages. 3 TIER DIVISION OF WORLD 1. Pivot Area (Ural-arctic-siberian highland-central asian mountains; Rich natural resources;natural fortress;Symbolizes Land power) 2. Inner crescent (Europe except UK,West asia,South asia,East and Far east asia;Sea power;accessible and prone to invasion) 3. O...
Post a Comment
Read more