This dataset supports a study exploring perceptions of the mind and soul across diverse cultural and religious contexts. It includes a questionnaire survey protocol and numeric data available in both Excel and SPSS formats. The data was collected through a questionnaire survey administered to students in Poland (n = 225), Ukraine (n = 272), and Kazakhstan (n = 198). The dataset contains variables for individual questionnaire items as well as computed variables used in the analysis reported in the study.
Research in cognitive science, psychology of religion, linguistics, and anthropology highlights the intertwined nature of the mind and soul in shaping perceptions of individuals. These concepts significantly influence human intuitions, integrating psychological, cognitive, religious, moral, and emotional dimensions. Moving beyond traditional dualistic views of the mind-body relationship, recent studies propose a tripartite model—body, mind, and soul—providing a more holistic and nuanced understanding of human cognition.
This investigation, conducted across Catholic Poland, Orthodox Ukraine, and Islamic Kazakhstan, validates the intuitive association of the soul as distinct from the mind. The findings suggest that the soul functions independently of the mind, reflecting deep cultural and religious integration into human cognition. Furthermore, the study reveals ethical implications in moral dilemma judgments, influenced by the distinction between the mind and the soul.
(2025-01-08)
