What term describes the act of inflicting physical or psychological harm intentionally?

The term that best describes the act of inflicting physical or psychological harm intentionally is aggression. Aggression encompasses a range of behaviors that are aimed at causing harm or pain to another person, whether through physical means or mental distress. This term is often used in both psychological contexts to describe behavior that is hostile or violent, and in everyday language to describe actions taken with the intent to hurt or harm.

In contrast, assault specifically refers to the act of physically attacking someone, which does not encompass psychological harm. Intimidation involves making someone fearful, which may not always result in direct harm. Hostility refers to a general feeling of enmity or animosity and does not necessarily imply an active effort to cause harm. Thus, aggression is the most precise term for intentional harm, making it the correct choice in this context.