What type of harm does intentional infliction of emotional distress refer to?

Intentional infliction of emotional distress refers specifically to situations where a person's extreme and outrageous conduct intentionally causes another individual to suffer severe emotional distress. This legal concept focuses on the psychological impact of the behavior rather than any physical or financial repercussions. To establish a case for intentional infliction of emotional distress, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant's actions were not just inappropriate but egregiously so, leading to significant emotional trauma.

This type of harm emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional well-being and recognizes that certain behaviors can cause profound psychological effects, even in the absence of physical injury. The goal of this aspect of law is to protect individuals from severe psychological harm that may arise from extreme actions of others. Thus, the emphasis is clearly on the emotional damage resulting from the defendant's conduct, which is why the correct answer identifies it as severe emotional distress due to extreme conduct.