Geography 2024 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Critically examine

Q5

Answer the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Critically examine the significance of Behavioural Approach in the development of human geography. 10 (b) "While scarcity of water resources are felt locally, but its causes are increasingly global." Comment. 10 (c) Central Business Districts (CBDs) are in decline as the economic core of metropolitan cities. Critically examine. 10 (d) There is a need for gender-sensitive regional development. Elaborate. 10 (e) Explain the theoretical framework and stages of economic growth proposed by Rostow's model. 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए : (a) मानव भूगोल के विकास में व्यवहारपरक उपागम के महत्व का आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए। 10 (b) "हालांकि जल संसाधनों की कमी स्थानीय स्तर पर महसूस होती है, परंतु इसके कारण तेजी से वैश्विक होते जा रहे हैं।" टिप्पणी कीजिए। 10 (c) महानगरों के आर्थिक मूल के रूप में केंद्रीय व्यापार क्षेत्र (सी.बी.डी.) पतन में हैं। आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए। 10 (d) लिंग-संवेदनशील प्रादेशिक विकास की आवश्यकता है। विस्तार से समझाइए। 10 (e) रोस्तोव मॉडल द्वारा प्रस्तावित आर्थिक वृद्धि के सैद्धांतिक ढांचे एवं चरणों की व्याख्या कीजिए। 10

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Directive word: Critically examine

This question asks you to critically examine. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Critically examine requires balanced analysis with both merits and limitations. Structure: brief introduction defining Behavioural Approach, body covering key contributions (cognitive/behavioural variables, decision-making, perception studies) and critical evaluation (subjectivity, quantification issues, limited predictive power), conclusion assessing its legacy in modern behavioural geography.

Key points expected

Definition: shift from spatial analysis to human decision-making processes, emphasizing subjective perception over objective spatial laws
Key contributions: Pred's behavioural matrix, Wolpert's spatial choice theory, mental maps (Lynch, Gould), time-geography (Hägerstrand)
Critical limitations: excessive subjectivity, difficulty in quantification, individualistic focus ignoring structural constraints, limited policy applicability
Evolution: transition to humanistic geography and later integration with GIS and cognitive science
Indian context: limited indigenous development but applied in migration studies and urban behaviour research
Contemporary relevance: behavioural economics, agent-based modelling in urban simulation

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Concept correctness	20%	10	Precisely defines Behavioural Approach as reaction to quantitative revolution; accurately explains Pred's behavioural matrix, Wolpert's satisficing behaviour, and mental mapping; correctly distinguishes from humanistic and radical approaches	Basic definition correct but conflates with humanistic geography; mentions mental maps without theorists; superficial treatment of methodological shift	Confuses with behaviouralism in psychology; describes only as 'study of human behaviour' without geographical specificity; major factual errors about origins or key concepts
Map / diagram	10%	5	Draws and labels Pred's Behavioural Matrix (information available vs. ability to use) or Gould's mental map of spatial preferences; illustrates spatial choice or time-space prism	Mentions diagrams without drawing; attempts simple flowchart of decision-making process; labels unclear or incomplete	No diagram despite visual potential; irrelevant sketch; diagram contradicts textual explanation
Indian regional examples	15%	7.5	Cites Indian studies: mental maps of Delhi (Jain), rural-urban migration decision-making, or farmer's crop choice behaviour; references R. B. Bhagat's migration research or indigenous urban perception studies	Generic mention of Indian farmers' decision-making without specific study; applies Western examples to Indian context without adaptation	No Indian examples; inappropriate examples (e.g., using Western shopping behaviour for Indian rural geography); factual errors about Indian research
Spatial analysis	25%	12.5	Explains how approach transformed spatial analysis by introducing perceived space vs. objective space; discusses time-space geography and constraints; links to modern spatial decision support systems	Mentions space-perception dichotomy without elaboration; describes but doesn't analyse spatial implications; weak connection to analytical methods	Ignores spatial dimensions entirely; treats as non-geographical psychology; confuses with spatial science/quantitative methods
Application / policy	30%	15	Critical evaluation of policy utility: useful for participatory planning, environmental perception studies, disaster response behaviour; limitations in predictive planning; balanced assessment of why approach declined and recent revival in behavioural urban economics	One-sided praise or criticism; mentions planning applications without critical depth; weak conclusion on contemporary relevance	No critical dimension despite 'critically examine' directive; purely descriptive; concludes without assessment of significance

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