Avolition is a psychological state characterized by general lack of drive, or motivation to pursue meaningful goals. A person may show little participation in work or have little interest in socializing. They may sit still for long periods of time. It is commonly seen in patients with schizophrenia, and is one of the five main "negative" symptoms of that disorder, the others being flat affect, alogia, anhedonia, and asociality. It is sometimes mistaken for simple disinterest or anhedonia but is distinct. People with avolition may want to complete certain tasks but lack the motivation to complete them.
Literally meaning "poverty of will," it is a restriction in initiation and production of goal directed behavior. Abulia (poverty of motivation) - is a restriction in will or motivation, often characterized by an inability to set goals or make decisions.
The DSM-IV says of schizophrenia that if characteristic symptoms are two (or more) of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a 6-month period: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence), grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, negative symptoms, i.e., affective flattening, alogia, or avolition.