Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

Which term describes the study of how people interact with their environment?

1. A) Geography

2. B) Anthropology

3. C) Sociology

4. D) History

The correct answer is: A) Geography

The term that describes the study of how people interact with their environment is geography. Geography encompasses the analysis of the physical characteristics of the Earth and the spatial relationships and patterns that arise from human interactions with those environments. It examines elements such as land use, resource distribution, population dynamics, and the impacts of human activity on natural landscapes. By studying geography, one gains insight into how cultures adapt to their surroundings and how they modify the environment in response to human needs and activities. In contrast, anthropology focuses on the study of humans, their cultures, and their development over time. Sociology looks at social behavior and the organization of societies, while history deals with past events and their impact on present societies. While these disciplines might intersect with geographical studies, they do not specifically address the interaction between people and their environments in the same systematic way.