TextEdit, App Store, Preview do not respond to clicking or keyboard shortcuts

Question

Late 2013 Macbook Pro Retina running Mavericks 10.9.4 with all software updated.
A couple of days ago, I opened an image up in Preview only to find that the application would not respond to any clicks or keyboard shortcuts I made. If I were to hover over an icon on the top bar, it would recognize that I was doing that, but not do anything if I clicked on it. Ultimately, the only way to close the program to perform a force quit with Cmd-Opt-Shift-Esc or right-click on the dock and go to "Quit". It does not show up as not responding in the Force Quite menu, and the problem does not go away if I reboot the computer.
I've also experienced the problem in two other apps to date - the App Store and TextEdit. Both will act like they're perfectly okay until I actually go to click on something, in which case they won't respond at all. There's no spinning pinwheel or freezing - it just acts like nothing is happening. (For example, if I launch the App Store from my browser directly to an app page, the "Download" or "Purchase" button will highlight when you hover over it but cannot be pressed. I have launched it from Finder, as well, so it's not that contributing to it.)
These are the only apps I've noticed that are doing it, but they're all Apple apps. In contrast, Finder, iTunes, and Safari work as well as ever. Any help would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Step 1
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
Step 2
The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.