Final answer:
Hostility is often seen as confrontational, but it should be viewed differently in a counseling context to foster a supportive relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
People generally define hostility as a type of hostile challenge when attempting to overcome an obstacle; however, it should not be perceived that way within the counseling relationship. The transactional model of hostility suggests that the thoughts and feelings of a hostile person can lead to antagonistic behavior, which may provoke complementary reactions from others and reinforce a hostile disposition. For instance, if someone like Kaitlin, who harbors a cynical and distrustful attitude, this can lead to a cycle of negative interactions.
Additionally, while humans may have a natural inclination to be wary of strangers, it is important to distinguish between types of aggression. Hostile aggression is driven by anger and the intent to cause pain, often seen in reactive scenarios like confrontations. On the other hand, instrumental aggression is goal-oriented, such as the actions of a contract killer, and is not necessarily aimed at causing pain.