In order to delineate the range of behaviors that can be considered aggressive workplace behaviors, researchers have developed schemes of classification for workplace aggression. Neuman and Baron (1998) offer these three dimensions that encompass the range of workplace aggression:

1. Expressions of hostility—behaviors that are primarily verbal or symbolic in nature.
2. Obstructionism—behaviors intended to hinder an employee from performing their job or the organization from accomplishing its objectives.
3. Overt aggression—violent acts.

Aggressive acts can take any possible combination of these three dichotomies. For example, failing to deny false rumors about a coworker would be classified as verbal-passive-indirect. Purposely avoiding the presence of a coworker you know is searching for your assistance could be considered physical-passive-direct.

Other researchers offer a classification system based on the aggressor’s relationship to the victim (Peek-Asa, Runyan, & Zwerling, 2001).

1. Criminal intent (Type I)—this type of aggression occurs when the aggressor has no relationship to the victim or organization.
2. Customer/client (Type II)—the aggressor has a relationship with the organization and aggresses while they are being served as a customer.
3. Worker on worker (Type III)—both the aggressor and the victim are employees in the same organization. Often, the aggressor is a subordinate, and the victim is a supervisor.
4. Personal relationship (Type IV)—the aggressor has a relationship with an employee at an organization, but not the organization itself. This category includes victims who are assaulted by a domestic partner while at work.

Psychological harassment
This is humiliating or abusive behaviour that lowers a person’s self-esteem or causes them torment. This can take the form of verbal comments, actions or gestures. Falling into this category is workplace mobbing. Community Based Harassment — stalking by a group against an individual using repeated distractions that the individual is sensitized to, such as clicking an ink pen.

Racial harassment
The targeting of an individual because of their race or ethnicity. The harassment may include words, deeds, and actions that are specifically designed to make the target feel degraded due to their race or ethnicity.

Typically the targeted individual is a subordinate, for example, a fraternity pledge, a first-year military cadet, or somebody who is considered 'inferior' or an 'outsider'.

Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that is psychologically harmful. Such abuse is often associated with situations of power imbalance, such as , bullying, and in the workplace.

signs of verbal abuse :telling someone of a different race/ethnicity to get 'back to where they came from', being curt and unfriendly with someone (daily, all the time or frequently),
Focus on word definitions to derail a discussion. If one is trying to discuss an uncomfortable topic with a verbal abuser, the abuser will often focus on a particular word or set of words, disagree with how they were used in a sentence, usually assigning a new definition or intent to those words. The verbal abuser usually then claims a "knowledge" of the others intentions or motivation. The usual end result is that two to three sentences into an attempted discussion, the discussion is side-tracked into an argument as the other person attempts to explain and redefine what they meant. This can progress to the point the verbal abuser may insist that only they can determine the definition or intent of the other person's words. Once side-tracked the verbal abuser usually continues to reject any redefinition of words until the other person gets frustrated and gives up. The abuser has "won" the argument by avoiding discussion of the issue at hand.

Verbal abuse (also called reviling) is a form of abusive behavior involving the use of language. It is a form of profanity that can occur with or without the use of expletives. While oral communication is its most common form, verbal abuse may be expressed in the form of written word as well.

Verbal abuse is a pattern of behavior that can seriously interfere with a person's healthy emotional development. Regular exposure leads to significant detriment of a person's self-esteem, emotional well-being, and physical state.

Verbal abuse is best described as an ongoing emotional environment organized by the abuser for the purposes of control. The underlying factor in the dynamic of verbal abuse is the abuser’s low regard for him or herself. As the abuser fears not being "good enough" and/ or meeting public expectations, the abuser attempts to place their victim in a position to believe similar things about him or herself - a type of warped projection.

Reports of verbal and emotional abuse indicate that it frequently occurs in romantic relationships between men and women, where women are generally reported as the victims.^[1][2] However, verbal abuse may occur to any person of any gender, race, culture, sexual orientation, or age.

Typically, verbal abuse increases in intensity over time and often escalates into physical abuse as well.^{[citation needed]}

During intense verbal abuse, the victim usually suffers from low self-worth and low self-esteem. As a result, victims may fall into clinical depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Verbal abuse, despite showing no visible proof, is nonetheless damaging.

Despite the fact that it is the most common type of abuse, verbal abuse is generally not taken as seriously as other forms of abuse. However, in reality; moderate to severe cases of verbal abuse (in which the victim is under constant attack, especially a child) is even more detrimental to a person's health than physical abuse.

Verbal abuse starting from a young age contributes to inferiority complex, machismo attitudes, and many other negative behaviors that plague many people into adulthood.

People who feel they are being attacked by a verbal abuser on a regular basis should seek professional counsel and remove themselves from the negative environment whenever possible. Staying around verbal abusers is damaging for a person's overall well-being, and all steps to change the situation should be pursued. Children may become victims of verbal abuse, also called school violence bullying.

forum discussion

He was deployed to Sasebo, Japan on 8/4/08. He called me last night, stated they have him on "suicide watch", and he has been to see a psychiatrist. He said the psychiatrist stated he has major depression since being away from home, and he is recommending an "administrative discharge". My son doesn't want to come home, but said it is out of his hands and is up to the commanding officer. Is anyone familiar with this? Is it the same as a medical discharge? My son said it would not be a dishonarable discharge, but he and I are both upset because we had such high hopes for him in the Navy. He did excellent in both boot camp and A school, so this has me floored. Is there anything I can do? Any way I can put any input? My son never had this problem before, so I want to make sure they are making the right decision before booting him out. Please help!!!!

What is abuse of authority?

Abuse of authority and position is an arbitrary or capricious exercise of power by a military member, federal official or employee that injures or adversely affects the rights of a subordinate by tyrannical, careless or capricious conduct or continuous and/or severe abusive language.

Abuse of position includes a wide range of subjects such as improper use of title/position/rank (see Ethics). Abuse of position may involve discrimination, i.e., creation of a hostile work environment, see Equal Employment.

Military Members: Many complaints are best addressed within the chain of command. For example, complaints of wrongs may be handled through the Division or Command Master Chief, Division or Department Head, Commanding Officer's Request Mast, NAVREGS Article 1150 (Redress of Wrong Committed by a Superior), UCMJ Article 138 (Complaint of Wrongs Against the Commanding Officer). Before filing an Article 138 or 1150, we recommend you consult with a Legal Officer or Judge Advocate.

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What are the applicable statutes and regulations applicable to military members?

U. S. Navy Regulations, Chapter 8, Article 802, The Commanding Officer, Responsibility of the Commanding Officer

U. S. Navy Regulations, Chapter 10, Article 1023, Precedence, Authority and Command. Persons in authority are forbidden to injure their subordinates by tyrannical or capricious conduct, or by abusive language.

U.S. Navy Regulations, Chapter 11, Article 1111, Pecuniary Dealings with Enlisted Persons

U. S. Navy Regulations, Chapter 11, Article 1131, Requirement of Exemplary Conduct

U. S. Navy Regulations, Chapter 11, Article 1151, and OPNAVINST 3120.32C, Section 510.59 set forth the basic regulations for processing of request mast for military personnel.

U. S. Navy Regulations, Chapter 11, Article 1150 (Redress of Wrong Committed by a Superior) and Manual of the Judge Advocate General, Chapter 3 (Complaint of Wrongs Against the Commanding Officer)

Joint Ethics Regulation, DoD 5500-R, Chapter 2, Section 3, 2‑304, Use of Military Title by Retirees or Reserves

Uniformed Code of Military Justice, Article 138, Complaint of Wrongs Against the Commanding Officer

5 C.F.R. § 2635.701 through 2635.705

, Misuse of Position

DoD Directive 7050.6,