Which of the following is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Auditory hallucinations are considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia because they represent an excess or distortion of normal functions. In the context of schizophrenia, positive symptoms include phenomena that are added to or exaggerated from a person's baseline functioning, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

Auditory hallucinations specifically involve hearing voices or sounds that are not present in reality, which can significantly affect a person's insights and interaction with the world. These types of symptoms indicate that the individual is experiencing a break from reality and reflect an altered state of consciousness, which is characteristic of positive symptoms in schizophrenia.

In contrast, flat affect, social withdrawal, and inability to feel joy are manifestations that represent a decrease or absence of normal emotional function and behavior, which are categorized as negative symptoms. Negative symptoms reflect a deficit in emotional expression and social functionality rather than an excess or distortion of these functions. Understanding the distinction between positive and negative symptoms is crucial for the assessment and treatment planning in individuals with schizophrenia.