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NotesESS HLTopic 1.1Perspectives
Back to ESS HL Topics
1.1.11 min read

Perspectives

IB Environmental Systems and Societies • Unit 1

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Contents

  • What is a Perspective?
  • Assumptions, values, and beliefs
  • Why perspectives matter in ESS

A perspective is an individual point of view about something.

It is shaped by:

  • what a person thinks is important
  • what they believe is true
  • what they have learned or experienced

People can see the same situation differently.

One perspective

  • Cutting a forest creates jobs and income, supporting economic growth and development.

Another perspective

  • Cutting a forest destroys habitats, reduces biodiversity, and causes environmental damage.

Assumptions

Assumptions are ideas people accept as true without thinking much.

Example: "Technology will always solve our problems."

Values

Values are principles people feel are important in life.

  • honesty
  • safety
  • respect for nature
  • economic growth

Values guide decisions about environmental issues.

Beliefs

Beliefs are strong ideas about what is right, wrong, or real. They often come from family, culture, religion, school, or media.

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Environmental problems involve disagreements because people have different perspectives.

Perspectives influence:

  • how serious someone thinks a problem is
  • who they think is responsible
  • what solutions they believe in

Key Terms

Assumptions
Ideas people accept as true without really checking or thinking about them.
Beliefs
Ideas a person is sure are true, often influenced by family, culture, religion, or education.
Economic perspective
Looking at an issue mainly in terms of jobs, money, and economic growth.
Environmental concern
Worry or care about problems in the environment, like pollution or habitat loss.
Environmental perspective
How someone thinks and feels about an environmental issue.
Experience
Things that have happened to someone that affect how they think.
Interpretation
The way a person understands or explains a situation.
Perspective
A person's point of view about a situation, shaped by their experiences, values, and beliefs.
Values
Things a person thinks are important, such as honesty, safety, or protecting nature.

Related ESS HL Topics

Continue learning with these related topics from the same unit:

1.1.2Worldviews
1.1.3EVS
1.1.4Values Surveys
1.1.5Environmental movements
View all ESS HL topics

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Spaced repetition flashcards for Perspectives

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Command terms, paper structure, and mark-scheme tips for ESS HL

IB Exam Questions on Perspectives

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How Perspectives Appears in IB Exams

Examiners use specific command terms when asking about this topic. Here's what to expect:

Define

Give the precise meaning of key terms related to Perspectives.

AO1
Describe

Give a detailed account of processes or features in Perspectives.

AO2
Explain

Give reasons WHY — cause and effect within Perspectives.

AO3
Evaluate

Weigh strengths AND limitations of approaches in Perspectives.

AO3
Discuss

Present arguments FOR and AGAINST with a balanced conclusion.

AO3

See the full IB Command Terms guide →

Next
Worldviews1.1.2

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