environmental determinism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “environmental determinism” mean?
The theory that physical environment shapes and limits human culture and societal development.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The theory that physical environment shapes and limits human culture and societal development.
The belief that a society's economic, political, and social structures are primarily determined by geographical and climatic factors, such as landscape, climate, and available resources, rather than by human will or historical accident.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning, spelling, or usage.
Connotations
Often carries a negative or discredited connotation in modern academic discourse, associated with historical theories (e.g., Ellsworth Huntington's climate theories) used to justify colonialism or racism. This critical connotation is universal.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US academic texts due to larger volume of social science publishing.
Grammar
How to Use “environmental determinism” in a Sentence
[Subject] critiques/rejects/exemplifies environmental determinism.The theory/idea/concept of environmental determinism [verb].Environmental determinism [verb] that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “environmental determinism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scholar sought to environmental-determine the course of history. (Non-standard, theoretical use)
American English
- Historians have been accused of attempting to environmental-determine social outcomes. (Non-standard, theoretical use)
adverb
British English
- He argued, rather environmental-deterministically, that climate dictated everything.
American English
- The theory explains events environmental-deterministically.
adjective
British English
- His environmental-determinist views were controversial.
- An environmental-determinist argument.
American English
- The environmental-determinist perspective has fallen out of favor.
- She critiqued the environmental-determinist approach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in human geography, history of science, and post-colonial studies. Used to describe and critique historical theories.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only appear in advanced popular science or history documentaries.
Technical
Used precisely to label a specific school of thought, often in contrast to modern, more nuanced models like political ecology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “environmental determinism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “environmental determinism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “environmental determinism”
- Pronouncing it as 'environmental de-ter-MINE-ism' (stress should be on 'term': de-TER-min-ism).
- Using it as a general term for 'environmental concern' or 'green policies'.
- Spelling 'determinism' with an 'a' (e.g., determin*ation*ism).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as a strict, all-encompassing theory, it is widely rejected in modern academia. It is considered overly simplistic and has been criticized for ethical and scientific reasons. However, the influence of the environment is still studied in more nuanced ways.
Primarily Human Geography, History of Science, Anthropology, Sociology, and Post-Colonial Studies. It is a term used to discuss historical theories and their impacts.
The claim that 'people in cold climates are more hardworking and disciplined, while people in hot climates are lazy and lack initiative' is a simplistic (and racist) example of environmental determinist thinking.
It was succeeded by theories like environmental possibilism (environment sets limits and offers possibilities, but culture decides) and later by political ecology and social constructivism, which emphasize power relations, economics, and culture alongside the physical environment.
Environmental determinism is usually academic / technical in register.
Environmental determinism: in British English it is pronounced /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛn(t)l dɪˈtɝːmɪnɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The ghost of environmental determinism (used to refer to its lingering influence).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DETERMINED mountain (environment) telling a village exactly how to live. The environment DETERMINES the rules.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENVIRONMENT AS A MOULD / SCULPTOR (The environment shapes society like a mould shapes clay).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the OPPOSITE of 'environmental determinism'?