Which of the following is classified as a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

• A. Diminished sociability
• B. Poverty of speech
• C. Hallucinations
• D. Catatonia

Answer: (C)

Positive symptoms are additions to normal functioning seen in schizophrenia. Hallucinations fit this idea because they are experiences of stimuli that aren’t actually present—most often auditory voices or sounds—that the person perceives as real. This extra perceptual experience is exactly what defines a positive symptom.

In contrast, the other features reflect reductions or alterations in normal functioning rather than additions. Diminished sociability and poverty of speech are negative symptoms, indicating loss or absence of typical social engagement and expressive speech. Catatonia involves unusual motor behavior or immobility and can be a separate type of symptom disorder, not a straightforward perceptual experience like hallucinations.