A physician treats both physical symptoms and emotional stress in a patient, believing that the mind and body influence each other. Which principle does this approach best represent?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -3rd)

Explanation

The scenario describes a belief system where the mind and body are treated as two distinct entities that causally influence one another.
This is the central tenet of Interactionist Dualism, a major school of thought in the philosophy of mind.
The physician's practice of addressing emotional stress to alleviate physical symptoms (and vice-versa) directly applies the dualistic model.
Historically, the field of psychosomatic medicine is founded on this principle of the mind (psyche) affecting the body (soma), as noted by ancient physicians like Hippocrates and Plato (SRC_1).

Option B: Behaviorism deliberately ignores internal mental states like 'emotional stress' and focuses only on observable, measurable actions. The physician in the scenario is doing the opposite by considering the patient's internal emotional state.
Option C: Eliminative Materialism is a radical view that argues our entire framework of understanding the mind (beliefs, desires, stress) is wrong and should be 'eliminated.' The physician is actively using the concept of 'emotional stress,' which contradicts this principle.
Option D: Materialism (or Physicalism) is a monistic view, holding that only the physical world exists. It would explain emotional stress as a purely physical brain state, not as a separate 'mind' influencing the body. The scenario's phrasing 'mind and body influence each other' implies two distinct things, which contradicts the single-substance view of materialism.

Visual 1: Flowchart - A diagram illustrating the core tenets of Dualism, Materialism, and Behaviorism. For Dualism, it would show two separate boxes for 'Mind' and 'Body' with arrows pointing between them. For Materialism, it would show a single box 'Brain/Body' with internal arrows. For Behaviorism, it would show 'Stimulus' leading to 'Behavior' with a black box over the 'Mind'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Philosophy of Mind in Healthcare to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Holistic Care: This question highlights the importance of holistic nursing care, which involves assessing and addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of a patient.
Psychosomatic Symptoms: Nurses frequently encounter patients whose physical symptoms (like pain, fatigue, or gastrointestinal distress) are exacerbated or even caused by psychological stress. Recognizing this link is crucial for effective care planning.
Patient Education: A nurse can educate a patient on stress-reduction techniques (e.g., deep breathing, mindfulness) as a non-pharmacological intervention to help manage physical symptoms, reinforcing the mind-body connection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core belief described in the question stem. Here, the key is 'the mind and body influence each other.'
Analyze this belief. It suggests two separate things ('mind' and 'body') that have a two-way interaction.
Next, review the definitions of the philosophical terms provided in the options.
Match the belief from the stem to the definition it fits best. 'Dualism' is the philosophical term for two separate, interacting substances (mind and body).
Eliminate the other options by identifying why they don't fit. Behaviorism ignores the mind, and Materialism views the mind and body as one physical substance, not two interacting ones.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Philosophy of Mind in Healthcare
Stem keywords: physician, physical symptoms, emotional stress, mind and body, influence each other
Lead-in keywords: best represent
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -3rd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.