Alogia

Alogia is a term used in psychology to reflect a lack of personal content in speech or conversation. Referred to as "poverty" of speech, the effected individual uses only the bare minimum needed to communicate, such as yes or no answers or short sentences.

Alogia is usually associated with organic mental problems such as schizophrenia, mental retardation or dementia, it is usually caused by damage to left hemisphere of the brain. Alogia is normally considered a type of aphasia (speech difficulties related to brain damage), however it is sometimes seen in clients as a voluntary behavior that is motivated by a desire to avoid answering questions. For example. a therapist asks questions that tries to get a client to open up about their feelings or thoughts, only to have the client respond with only yes or no answers.