The three approaches introduced in the 1970s in human geography are as follows :
(i) Welfare Approach:
The influence of capitalism in the world is constantly on the rise. On account of capitalism, various types of difference-economic, social and others-among groups of people are on the rise. To find solutions to these inequalities the welfare approach was born. David Harvey and D.M. Smith are proponents of this thought.
(ii) Behavioural Approach:
The limitations placed by positivism led to reactions against it. This ‘approach’ is mainly borrowed from psychology. The Behavioural approach was an antithesis of positivism in which the cognitive power of human beings was emphasised. Woolpert and Olson are staunch supporters of the Behavioural Approach.
(iii) Radical Approach:
The radical school of thought employed Marxian theory (welfare) and explained the basic cause of poverty, deprivation and social inequality. The contemporary social problems were related to the development of the welfare approach.