Total or near absence of appropriate emotional responses to situations and events is called what?

• A. Flat affect
• B. Eclectic approach
• C. Dysfunction
• D. Distress

Answer: (A)

Flat affect is the total or near absence of outward emotional expression in facial expressions, voice, and gestures, even in situations that would normally evoke a response. This lack of expected emotion is a hallmark feature in some mental health conditions, notably as a negative symptom in schizophrenia, and can also appear with severe mood disorders. The other terms describe different ideas: an eclectic approach is a method that combines strategies, dysfunction refers to impaired functioning, and distress means experiencing unpleasant emotions—none of which capture the absence of emotional responsiveness described here.