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As these new paradigms evolved in the field of geographic studies, a change that affected the entire field was the influence of the scientific method. Because the discipline was strongly regimented against the acceptance of new beliefs these changed erupted slowly in individual papers published from different researchers. The apparent dissatisfaction with the current scientific trends which existed after the war was general and far reaching motivation toward these changes. Acceptance of the scientific method's influence was termed a growth in "systematic studies." After the desires for a more systematic approach to geographic studies took hold, geographers searched to identify a focus. Because geography is essentially a study of distance, and the means by which civilizations spanned the distances between them, the study of special systems was applied to the science. According to Haggett's schema for studying special systems, there are 6 elements: movement, channels for the movement to travel, central nodes, hierarchies of nodes, surfaces (geographic relief) and finally diffusion of movement which control the development of social organizations. (p. 95)

To this schema was added the influence of behavioralistic motivations. After all, men are creatures which can be studied on the basis of habit and behavior. The influence of mankind's desires to establish goals and specific behaviors must also be taken into account. Land use decisions, mental maps, and the desire to gain a more universal knowledge ultimately influenced civilization's spread across the globe in specific ways. As man's behavioral tendencies were added into the equation, modern trends became troublesome to geographers.

In the modern era, (from 1960 onward) mankind was in the process of an economic and ecological decline which geographers had not experiences prior. They became concerned that man was creating a severe state of frustration, even survival crisis, these conditions could only be solved by advancing nations, and that at the current rate of social advance would create severe ecological and geographic implications. In America and the west in general, the cultural revolution lead these doomsday theories to be accepted much more quickly into the mainstream geological studies. Since the late 70's, the study has returned to its snail pace for change, locking into its paradigm much of the 70's radicalism. The final chapter of the book, since it was published in 1979, is an evaluation of the radicals' influence, and an evaluation from within the study of where the science will go from the point of the author's writing.