Perspectives on Place (AQA A Level Geography)

Insider and Outsider Perspectives

• The place is a social construct which means some people can feel ‘in place’ and some can feel ‘out of place’ 

• Placemaking processes can be used to create spatial inclusion or exclusion 

• Dominant groups create a social norm and those that deviate from this norm can be socially or spatially excluded

  • Spikes on the pavement or benches with individual seating are choices made to spatially exclude homeless people 

  • Lack of adaptations can lead to the exclusion of people with disabilities 

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• Insider perspectives come from being fluent in the local language, being born in the place, knowing the customs and norms

  • People who have an insider perspective will usually feel safe in a place

  • They have friends/family and connections in the place

• People can have outsider perspectives if they are not from the area or if they are but do not fit the social norm

  • Those with different sexualities or genders, despite being from the place, may feel out of place as they do not fit the social norm 

  • Immigrants or those from ethnic minorities will have outsider perspectives as they are not from the area.  Their outsider perspective can turn into social exclusion through their experiences