Which of the following represents an intentional tort?

Defamation is considered an intentional tort because it involves the deliberate act of making a false statement about someone that damages their reputation. In order for defamation to occur, the speaker or writer must have intended for the statement to be made, and it typically requires the plaintiff to prove that the defendant acted with at least a reckless disregard for the truth. This distinguishes defamation from negligence-based claims, such as negligent supervision or failure to warn, where the harm arises from a lack of care rather than an intention to cause harm.

Understanding this framework is crucial for differentiating between intentional torts and other types of wrongdoings. While negligent actions can lead to liability, they do not require the element of intent that is central to intentional torts like defamation, where the focus is on the actor's purposefully harmful conduct.