Which psychological disorder is characterized by the loss of the ability to speak, write, or comprehend the written or spoken word?

• A. Dysarthria
• B. Apraxia
• C. Aphasia
• D. Agnosia

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key terms related to language and communication disorders in psychology and neurology.
2. Step 2: Define Dysarthria as a motor speech disorder resulting from impaired movement of the muscles used for speech production, affecting articulation but not language comprehension.
3. Step 3: Define Apraxia as a motor disorder affecting the ability to perform purposeful movements, including speech, despite having the physical ability to do so, but it does not primarily affect language comprehension.
4. Step 4: Define Aphasia as a neurological disorder characterized by the loss or impairment of the ability to speak, write, or comprehend spoken or written language, typically caused by brain damage.
5. Step 5: Define Agnosia as the inability to process sensory information, such as recognizing objects or sounds, but it does not specifically affect language abilities like speaking or understanding language.