Final answer:
Asociality is classified as a B) Negative symptom because it represents a reduction or absence of normal social behaviors and functions, contrasting with positive, cognitive, and affective symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Asociality as a Symptom
How is asociality classified in the context of symptoms? The correct answer is B) Negative symptom. A negative symptom refers to the absence or diminution of normal behaviors and functions. This might include a lack of emotional expression, decreased motivation, and reduced social engagement. Asociality falls under this category as it represents the lack of desire to form social relationships or participate in social interactions, a key aspect especially discussed in conditions like schizophrenia or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Whereas positive symptoms add behaviors, such as delusions and hallucinations, negative symptoms take away abilities and experiences from individuals.
As an exemplar, in the context of mental health and disorders such as schizophrenia, asociality is an impairment in social skills, noticeably making and maintaining personal relationships. This symptom is negative as it represents a reduction in the complexity and richness of a person's emotional and social life. Other negative symptoms include anhedonia (lack of pleasure in everyday activities), alogia (poverty of speech), and avolition (lack of motivation). These contrast with cognitive symptoms, which relate to problems with thinking and memory, and affective symptoms, which relate to mood and feelings.