Final answer:
Echopraxia is classified as a positive symptom because it represents an excess or distortion of normal functions, specifically the involuntary mimicking of others' movements typically seen in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Echopraxia is a symptom where an individual involuntarily mimics the movements of others. It is often observed in various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Tourette syndrome and schizophrenia. In terms of classification, echopraxia is typically categorized as a positive symptom.
Positive symptoms are those that represent an excess or distortion of normal functions, such as hallucinations or delusions. This is in contrast to negative symptoms, which are characterized by a diminution or loss of functions, such as apathy or lack of speech (alogia). Cognitive symptoms relate to impairments in thought processes, while affective symptoms are connected with mood and feelings. Echopraxia falls under the positive symptoms because it is an added abnormal behavior that is not typically seen in healthy individuals.