Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

An intentional tort is characterized by which kind of behavior?

1. Accidental actions

2. Unintentional mistakes

3. General or specific intent

4. Negligent behavior

The correct answer is: General or specific intent

An intentional tort is defined by the presence of intent behind the actions that lead to the harm or injury caused to another party. This intentionality can be categorized into either general intent or specific intent. General intent refers to the intention to perform an act that is likely to lead to harmful consequences, while specific intent involves a deliberate aim to cause a specific outcome, such as inflicting harm. For example, if a person intentionally swings a fist at someone with the objective of striking them, this would constitute an intentional tort. The focus here is on the deliberate nature of the action and the actor's state of mind at the time of the incident, underscoring the significance of intent in classifying the behavior as an intentional tort. The other options suggest behaviors that do not align with this definition. Accidental actions and unintentional mistakes imply a lack of intent, which is opposite to the core principle of intentional torts. Similarly, negligent behavior does not involve the conscious intent to cause harm, but rather a failure to exercise reasonable care, differentiating it from the nature of intentional torts. Thus, it is the characteristic of having a conscious intent to perform an act that solidifies the understanding of what constitutes an intentional tort.