What is defined as diminished emotional expression in the context of negative symptoms?

Diminished emotional expression is a specific term used in the context of negative symptoms, particularly within schizophrenia spectrum disorders. It refers to a decrease in the range and intensity of emotional expressions that one would typically expect, such as facial expressions, voice tone, and gestures. This symptom may manifest as a flat affect in individuals, where they show little to no emotional reaction to situations that usually provoke a response.

When evaluating the other terms presented: anhedonia refers to a loss of pleasure or interest in previously enjoyable activities, avolition indicates a lack of motivation to initiate and sustain purposeful activities, and asociality reflects a lack of interest in social interactions. While these terms describe various negative symptoms that may occur in schizophrenia, they do not specifically denote diminished emotional expression. Therefore, the recognition of diminished emotional expression is key to understanding a fundamental aspect of negative symptoms in this context.