Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

Poverty of speech, also known as "alogia," is classified as a negative symptom of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms are characterized by a reduction or absence of normal emotional responses or behaviors. In the case of poverty of speech, individuals exhibit a marked decrease in the amount or content of speech they produce, which can manifest as short, monosyllabic responses or a noticeable lack of conversation. This indicates a deficit in the ability to engage socially and communicate effectively, which is a hallmark of negative symptoms.

In contrast, delusions and hallucinations are categorized as positive symptoms of schizophrenia, where there is an excess or distortion of normal functions. Delusions are false beliefs strongly held despite evidence to the contrary, while hallucinations are sensory perceptions that occur without an external stimulus, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not present. Strange behavior could also be considered a positive symptom, as it often refers to bizarre or disorganized conduct that deviates from societal norms. Thus, poverty of speech distinctly aligns with the negative symptom domain in schizophrenia.