The absence of appropriate behaviors such as flat affect and reduced movement is referred to as what symptom category in schizophrenia?

• A. Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
• B. Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
• C. Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
• D. Affective Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Answer: (B)

Negative symptoms in schizophrenia refer to a loss or reduction of normal behaviors and emotions. The absence of appropriate behaviors like flat affect and reduced movement fits this category because it reflects diminished emotional expression and decreased spontaneous motor activity rather than something new being added to experience. Flat affect shows limited facial expression and vocal response, while reduced movement indicates psychomotor slowing or paucity of activity. This stands in contrast to positive symptoms, which are additions such as delusions or hallucinations, and to cognitive symptoms, which involve problems with thinking processes like memory and attention. Affective symptoms pertain to mood disturbances rather than the absence of behavior. Therefore, the described features are best understood as negative symptoms.