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mind–body problem

the problem of accounting for and describing the relationship between mental and physical processes (psyche and soma). Solutions to this problem fall into six broad categories: (a) interactionism, in which mind and body are separate processes that nevertheless exert mutual influence (see Cartesian dualism); (b) parallelism, in which mind and body are separate processes with a point-to-point correspondence but no causal connection (see occasionalism; preestablished harmony); (c) idealism, in which only mind exists and the soma is a function of the psyche; (d) double-aspect theory, in which body and mind are both functions of a common entity (see neutral monism); (e) epiphenomenalism, in which mind is a by-product of bodily processes; and (f) materialism, in which body is the only reality and the psyche is nonexistent. Categories (a) and (b) are varieties of dualism; the remainder are varieties of monism. In the context of psychopathology, two central questions arising from the mind–body problem are which sphere takes precedence in the genesis and development of illness and how does each sphere affect the other. Also called body–mind problem.

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Psychology term of the day

December 7th 2024

psychogenic cardiovascular disorder

psychogenic cardiovascular disorder

any disorder of the heart or circulation that cannot be accounted for by any identifiable physical dysfunction or a general medical condition and is thought to be related to psychological factors. It can include a racing heart and chest pain or tightness.