What describes behavior intended to cause harm to others?

The term that best describes behavior intended to cause harm to others is aggression. This concept encompasses a wide range of behaviors that are aimed at inflicting pain or injury, whether physically or psychologically. Aggression can manifest in various forms, including physical attacks, verbal harassment, and even indirect forms of harm, such as spreading rumors or social ostracism.

A distinction within the broader category of aggression includes hostile aggression, which specifically refers to acts driven by anger and the desire to inflict pain. While hostile aggression is a specific form of aggression, the original question asks for a general term that encompasses any behavior intended to harm others, making "aggression" the most comprehensive and correct answer.

Social influence relates to how individuals change their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors in response to the presence or actions of others. It's not primarily focused on causing harm. The cost-benefit analysis model involves making decisions based on perceived gains versus costs, which does not directly address the intention to harm others. These terms do not capture the essence of harmful behavior as comprehensively as aggression does.