Geographer William D. Pattison introduced his four traditions of geography at the annual convention of the National Council for Geographic Education in 1963. With these precepts, Pattison sought to define the discipline by establishing a common vocabulary in the geographic community at large. His goal was to create a lexicon of basic geographical concepts so that the work of academics could be easily interpreted by laymen. The four traditions are the Spatial or Locational Tradition, the Area Studies or Regional Tradition, the Man-Land Tradition, and the Earth Science Tradition. Each of these traditions is interrelated, and they are often used in conjunction with one another, rather than alone.
The core concept behind the Spatial Tradition of geography relates to the in-depth analysis of the particulars of a place—such as the distribution of one aspect over an area—using quantitative techniques and tools that might include such things as computerized mapping and geographic information systems, spatial analysis and patterns, aerial distribution, densities, movement, and transportation. The Locational Tradition attempts to explain the course of human settlements in terms of location, growth, and in relation to other locales.
Unlike the Spatial Tradition, the Area Studies Tradition determines as much as it is possible to glean about a particular place in order to define, describe, and differentiate it from other regions or areas. World regional geography, along with international trends and relationships are at its center.
The focus of the Man-Land Tradition is the study of the relationship between human beings and the land they live on. Man-Land looks not only at the impact people impose on their local environment but conversely, at how natural hazards can influence human life. Along with addition population geography, the tradition also takes into account the ramifications that cultural and political practices have on the given area of study as well.
The Earth Science Tradition is the study of planet Earth as the home to humans and its systems. Along with the physical geography of the planet, focuses of study include such things as how the planet's location in the solar system affects its seasons (this is also known as Earth-sun interaction) and how changes in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere impact human life on the planet. Offshoots of the Earth Science Tradition of geography are geology, mineralogy, paleontology, glaciology, geomorphology, and meteorology.
In response to the four traditions, in the mid-1970s, researcher J. Lewis Robinson noted that Pattison's model left out several important aspects of geography, such as the factor of time as it relates to historical geography and cartography (mapmaking). Robinson wrote that by dividing geography into these categories—while admitting consistent themes do run through all four—Pattison's precepts lacked a unifying focus. Robinson did, however, concede that Pattison had done a good job of creating a framework for the discussion of the philosophical tenets of geography.
As a result, while it's not the be all and end all, most geographic studies are likely to at least begin with Pattison's traditions. While not perfect, they have nonetheless become essential to the study of geography since first being adopted. Many of the more recent specialized areas of geographic study are, in essence, new and improved versions—reinvented and using better tools—of Pattison's original ideas.
The Science of Geography
The term “Geography” is composed of two Greek words ‘Geo’ meaning Earth and "Graphien" means to write.
To the ancient Greeks Geography was “a Description of the earth”
Geography is the science that studies the relationships among areas, natural systems, cultural activities and the interdependence of all these over space.
Why is Geography unique among all disciplines?
· Its primary concern with how things are distributed on the earth’s surface.
· Its use of graphics (maps, pictures, photography) in its methods of study.
· Its adoption of an interdisciplinary approach to study problems of the earth.
· Geography is not defined by its subject matter (the things it studies) but rather the approaches it takes to study those materials.
Geography is defined by 5 key themes:
1) Place 2) Location 3) Movement
4) Region 5) Human-earth relationships
A bridge between Natural & Social Sciences
The human habitat is made up of:
a) A natural environment comprising natural features: eg. rivers, weather, soils & vegetation and,
b) A cultural environment, consisting of products of human civilization e.g. schools, cities, computers.
(1) Physical Geography: spatial analysis of physical elements and processes that make up the environment. The study focuses on the natural environment (weather, mountains, soil, etc.).
(2) Human Geography studies products of human civilization embodied in our cultural environment.
Earth System Concepts
A system refers to “an organized and interrelated set of things, and their attributes that work together as a unit. The parts are linked by flows of energy and matter.
A system that receives inputs of energy and matter and then outputs materials into surrounding environments is termed: Open System (e.g. systems in human body)
A system that is shut off from the surrounding environment and is self-contained is termed: Closed System (e.g. the earth system).
Feedback: information and other materials that are returned to parts of a system to influence its continuous operation.
Negative feedback: Information that tends to stabilize a system by slowing its rate, or reducing output when its effects are too great (daylight and photosynthesis).
Positive feedback: Information that encourages response and hence stimulates growth in the system (dried shrubs & oxygen and wildfires).
Steady-state equilibrium occurs when rates of inputs and outputs of energy and matter within the system are constant or fluctuate around a stable average.
Earth’s Spheres
Elements on the earth can be grouped into two classes:
a) Biotic elements – the living system including all plants, animals, and micro-organisms.
b) Abiotic elements – the non-living elements of the earth on which living things depend. The are:
1) Atmosphere – the mass of air (gases)
2) Hydrosphere – all forms of water
3) Lithosphere - outer part of the solid earth
4) Biosphere: Interconnected web that links all organisms with the physical environment. The worldwide system within which all life functions.