Unit 4 SAC study

Question 1

Define ‘population dynamics’.

Answer 1

The changes that occur in a population. Including how and why these changes occur.

Question 2

Define ‘spatial association’.

Answer 2

The degree to which two or more phenomena are similarly distributed or arranged.

Question 3

Define ‘economically active’.

Answer 3

15–65 age group.

Question 4

Define ‘dependant population’.

Answer 4

Persons under the age 15 and over 65. Usually considered dependent on other family members and pensions.

Question 5

Define ‘spatial migration’.

Answer 5

Migration that considers the scale of the movement.

Question 6

Define ‘temporal migration’.

Answer 6

Migration that considers the time frame of the movement.

Question 7

Define ‘fertility rate’.

Answer 7

The average expected number of births per woman of child-bearing age.

Question 8

Define ‘child bearing age’.

Answer 8

15 to 49 age group

Question 9

Define ‘maternal maternity’.

Answer 9

The number of mothers who die because of childbirth related conditions.

Question 10

Define ‘life expectancy’.

Answer 10

The average number of years a person can be expected to live from birth.

Question 11

Define ‘ageing population’.

Answer 11

Where the proportion of the population aged 60-65 years is increasing.

Question 12

Define ‘international migrant’.

Answer 12

A person who lives temporarily or permanently in a country where he or she was not born.

Question 13

Define ‘irregular migrant’.

Answer 13

A migrant without a documented approval to remain in a country.

Question 14

Explain the Malthusian theory and its explanation of population growth and sustainability.

Answer 14

The Malthusian theory catered solutions for overpopulation in 1800 England. Malthus, the icon of the ‘Malthusian theory’, believed that population would grow exponentially, whilst food production arithmetically. Malthus believed that in order to achieve a sustainable population at the time, a few rules would have to be followed: couples should practice abstinence of marriage and sex until they could afford to raise children; Couples considered to fall under extreme poverty should not marry; A population unable to feed itself should be subject to death and not be helped.

Question 15

Explain the relevance of the Malthusian theory today.

Answer 15

Today people have reformed Malthusian’s theory of population sustainability, these people are known as Neo-Malthusians. Neo-Malthusians believe that restricting the amount of children a couple can have would reduce pressure on unsustainable population growth. They also believe that there is an inevitable environmental degradation and resource overuse to come with it. However, as major increases in food production and an overall decrease in fertility rates have occurred since, Malthus’ theory is not very applicable in today’s society.

Question 16

Explain the main causes of population rise since the 1950’s.

Answer 16

Higher fertility rates in countries where child mortality is high, this is in order to ensure some children survive to adulthood.

In rural areas especially, children can be seen as an economic asset as they can help do chores.

Children can provide old age support and security for parents.

Religious beliefs may inhibit the use of family planning.

Question 17

Explain the world population growth since the 1700’s.

Answer 17

Improvements in the 1750’s of food production and better access to medicine and hygiene led to increase life expectancies, meaning lower death rates and a rapid growth in population. Between the 1750’s and 1970’s the annual global population rise had been increasing. In the mid 1960’s the world experience its fastest growth of 2.1 percent a year. In 1999 the world’s population reached 6 billion. Since the 1990’s world population growth rates have slowed. Today the world’s population has reached roughly 7 billion.

Question 18

Explain the projected changes in the 21st century.

Answer 18

The UN projects a world population of around 9.6 billion by 2050 and 11 billion by the end of the century. Regions accounting for the total word population such as Africa are predicted to rapidly rise by the end of the century, whilst today’s top contesters in Asia are predicted to shrink, from 60% to 43%.

Question 19

Explain the types of population movement.

Answer 19

Spatial and temporal migration are the two types of population movement. Spatial considers the scale of movement whilst temporal considers the time frame. Migration can be either voluntary or forced.

Question 20

Explain the impacts of population growth.

Answer 20

Overcrowding

Land degradation

Unsustainable populations

Strain on economies.

Question 21

Explain the main causes of population fall since the 1950’s.

Answer 21

Low infant and child mortality rates;

children can be seen as an economic liability;

welfare systems to support parents when they retire;

pro-natalist religious beliefs rejected by couples;

access to contraception.

Question 22

Explain the impacts of population decline.

Answer 22

Fewer young people to fill jobs

Labor shortages

Need for foreign workers

Increased demand for aged facilities.

Question 23

Name 3 types of spatial migrations.

Answer 23

Intra-urban migration

Internal migration

International migration

Question 24

Name 3 types of temporal migration.

Answer 24

Seasonal migration

Temporary migration

Recurrent migration