As mentioned above, the concept of aggressive behavior(s) implies an intent or desire/aim toinflict harm (injury or discomfort) upon another. Some people have raised concerns about theuse of intentionality of bullying behavior as a form of aggressive behavior: How do we knowthat the perpetrator really intends to harm the other person? And following up: If this is part ofthe definition, should not the investigator/observer/researcher make sure/document that this isactually the case? The issue of intentionality has a long history of discussion among aggressionresearchers, and with regard to most behaviors that are considered aggressive the assessment ofintentionality typically does not come from asking the perpetrator about his or her intentions,for example, but rather from an analysis and understanding of the context. If it can be impliedor assumed that the perpetrator(s) knows or understands that the exerted behavior is or will beperceived as unpleasant and maybe distressing or harmful by the targeted person, such presumedawareness on the part of the perpetrator is usually enough to classify the behavior as aggressive.Such assessments are also likely to be an important part of the targeted person’s evaluation ofthe situation and the motive(s) behind the behavior. Some aggression researchers also want toadd that the behavior the target is exposed to should be “unwanted” by the target, in orderto clearly differentiate it from potentially hurtful behaviors in a sadomasochistic context. Withregard to intentionality, an exception is also made for potentially hurtful behaviors when used inthe context of a “social role” such as that of dentists or surgeons who intentionally “inflict injuryand discomfort” upon their patients but where there is typically no reason to assume an underlyingintent/desire to hurt or harm (Buss 1961).