Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What would be an example of 'intentional infliction of emotional distress'?

1. Privacy invasion

2. Verbal harassment

3. Accidental injury

4. Property damage

The correct answer is: Verbal harassment

Intentional infliction of emotional distress refers to actions that are so outrageous and extreme that they go beyond the bounds of decency, causing severe emotional turmoil to the victim. Verbal harassment serves as a pertinent example because it encompasses behaviors such as intimidation, ridicule, or insults that are carried out with the intent of causing emotional pain. This type of harassment can create a hostile environment and lead to significant emotional distress for the targeted individual. In contrast, the other choices do not capture the element of intent to cause emotional harm. Privacy invasion may involve legal rights violations but doesn't inherently include intent to inflict emotional distress. Accidental injury, by definition, lacks intentionality, and while it may cause emotional distress, the critical element of intent is missing. Property damage may result in emotional distress due to loss, but it doesn’t necessarily involve actions designed to cause emotional suffering. Thus, verbal harassment aligns with the definition of intentional infliction of emotional distress because it involves intentional actions aimed at inflicting psychological harm.