Aaron has suffered from schizophrenia for many years and now resides in a group treatment facility. One day, a nurse approaches him and quietly tells him that his sister, who has been fighting cancer for many months, died that morning. Aaron has no appreciable facial reaction, and in a very monotone voice says, “okay.”

The nurse is not surprised by Aaron’s lack of response to the awful news because she knows that _____________ is one symptom often seen in those suffering from schizophrenia.

a. clang associations

b. echolalia

c. flat affect

d. perseveration