behavioural geography

This view of geography counters the simplistic views of geographical determinism and neoclassical economics and suggests that, far from being an economic man, an individual is a complex being whose perception of the environment may not correspond with objective reality. A distinction is made between the objectively observed environment—things as they are—and the perceived environment—things as they are seen by the individual. See behavioural environment. Individuals react to their perceptions, rather than to the phenomenal environment. Furthermore, their decisions may not be rational, or optimizing, but may depend greatly on chance. See satisficer.

Behavioural geography is concerned with understanding the flow of events which produce, reproduce, or transform a system; an analysis of processes rather than outcomes. It is concerned with the selectively abstracted structures (mental maps) which are used as part of the decision-making process, whether by individuals or by corporations. The value of such decisions depends upon the perceptions of the decision-maker and his or her ability to respond to that perception. See behavioural matrix.