AP Human Geography Flashcards: Theories of Development
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
Core-Periphery Relationship
This is a type of spatial variation in development where a developed 'core' and a less-developed 'periphery' are linked, a concept explained by development theories.
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Core-Periphery Relationship
This is a type of spatial variation in development where a developed 'core' and a less-developed 'periphery' are linked, a concept explained by development theories.
Dependency Theory
This is a theory used to explain spatial variations in development, often by analyzing core-periphery relationships.
How are development theories and core-periphery relationships connected?
Theories of development, such as dependency theory, provide a framework for explaining the existence and function of core-periphery relationships in the global economy.
A geographer observes that a wealthy, industrialized country seems to benefit from the resources of a poorer, less-developed country. Which theory could explain this spatial economic pattern?
Dependency theory could be used to explain this pattern as a core-periphery relationship, where the core benefits from the periphery.
If you were asked to use a geographic theory to explain why development levels are not the same everywhere, what would be your starting point?
The starting point would be to use a theory, like dependency theory or Rostow's model, to explain the observed spatial variations in development.
What is the primary purpose of geographic theories of development?
Geographic theories of development are used to explain spatial variations in development across different places.
What are 'spatial variations in development'?
This refers to the observable differences in levels of economic and social development from one geographic place to another.
Rostow's Stages of Economic Growth
This is a theory used to explain the process of development and its spatial variations.
What specific type of spatial relationship do development theories help explain?
Development theories are useful in explaining spatial variations such as core-periphery relationships.
Name two major theories used to explain development.
Two major theories used to explain development are dependency theory and Rostow's Stages of Economic Growth.