Hostility is defined as which of the following?

• A. Verbal aggression
• B. Physical violence
• C. Financial exploitation
• D. Social withdrawal

Answer: (A)

Hostility is an angry, antagonistic attitude that tends to express itself through verbal aggression—yelling, insults, threats, hostile language, and argumentativeness. The defining feature is this verbal expression of anger and the readiness to attack or demean others, even if no physical harm occurs. Physical violence can be a consequence of hostility, but the concept itself centers on the aggressive, angry demeanor conveyed in words. Financial exploitation and social withdrawal describe different behaviors (misusing resources or withdrawing from others) and don’t capture the core way hostility is typically shown.