The mind-body problem from the viewpoint of students in different disciplines

The mind-body relationship is a continuing issue in philosophy. Actual pref erences for certain views on the mind-body issue, for example, of first yea r psychology students, are nor known. Is it conceivable that particular vie ws may lead to distinctly differing practical consequences! A questionnaire that included ten different views on the mind-body relationship and additi onal items was returned by 209 students from various faculties (including p sychology) and by a second sample of 233 first year psychology students. Co mplementarity, identity theory, and interactionism were the preferred views . The majority of subjects were convinced that the particular view would re sult in specific practical consequences. Differences between various facult ies did not exist; neither regarding the specific views on the mind-body re lationship nor concerning the assumed practical relevance. From the psychol ogy of science point of view it should be rewarding to further investigate such attitudes and their potential consequences.