Which group of features includes diminished emotional expression, avolition, alogia, anhedonia, and asociality?

• A. Negative Symptoms
• B. Mutism
• C. Stupor
• D. Catatonic excitement

Answer: (A)

These features are classic examples of negative symptoms in schizophrenia, reflecting reductions in normal emotional and motivational functioning. Diminished emotional expression means facial expression and voice become less expressive. Avolition is a lack of motivation to initiate or sustain activities. Alogia refers to very little speech or brief, empty replies. Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure, and asociality is reduced interest in social interactions. Taken together, they indicate a deficit in normal functioning rather than the addition of abnormal experiences, which would be positive symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. Negative symptoms tend to be persistent and are often linked to greater functional impairment and a poorer response to treatment. The other options describe motor or speech disturbances or catatonic states, not this bundled set of motivational, affective, and social deficits.