Flat affect refers to which finding?

• A. Reduced emotional expression
• B. Absence of emotional expression
• C. Rapid mood changes
• D. Excessive grooming

Answer: (B)

Flat affect is a lack of outward display of emotion. You’ll often notice an expressionless face, a monotone voice, and little to no change in facial expression or vocal tone, even when the person reports feeling something. This absence of visible emotion is what the term captures, making it the best description among the options. It’s a negative symptom that can appear in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and related conditions, and it’s different from rapid mood changes (labile affect) or unrelated behaviors like excessive grooming.