Which of the following is a primary symptom of plutophobia, a psychological disorder?

• A. A compulsive need to wash hands repeatedly
• B. An inability to recognize familiar faces
• C. An intense and irrational fear of wealth or becoming wealthy
• D. A persistent fear of open spaces

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the term 'plutophobia' by breaking down its roots. 'Pluto' refers to wealth or riches, and 'phobia' means an irrational fear or aversion.
2. Step 2: Recognize that a primary symptom of any phobia is an intense and irrational fear related to the root cause—in this case, wealth or becoming wealthy.
3. Step 3: Compare the options given: compulsive hand washing is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, inability to recognize faces is linked to prosopagnosia, and fear of open spaces relates to agoraphobia.
4. Step 4: Identify that the correct symptom for plutophobia must involve fear specifically connected to wealth or becoming wealthy.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the primary symptom of plutophobia is an intense and irrational fear of wealth or becoming wealthy.