Was does it mean if one views the wave function as "real"?

[ajv]

In interpretations where the wave function is real, what does that mean? does it mean that the wave function has physical meaning?

 

[Bruno81]

In interpretations where the wave function is real, what does that mean? does it mean that the wave function has physical meaning?

Yes. You can view that as in the MW interpretation where most of the wavefuntion ends up in other worlds.

 

[ajv]

Yes. You can view that as in the MW interpretation where most of the wavefuntion ends up in other worlds.

But about electrons and sub atomic particles? If one says the wave function is real does that mean that they view electrons as physically smeared out prior to measurement?

 

[Nugatory]

But about electrons and sub atomic particles? If one says the wave function is real does that mean that they view electrons as physically smeared out prior to measurement?

You can, IF you view the wave function as real, but that's a very big "if" (and if you want to dig deeper into this area than is wise you can try googling for "psi-ontic quantum", but don't say you weren't warned).

Be sure to read and understand the replies in your other thread about the limits of this "smear" notion.