Three elements must be established in order to establish tortious assault:[3] first, there must be a positive act by the defendant;[4] second, the plaintiff had reasonable apprehension (the requisite state of mind) of immediate physical contact,[4][5] and third, the defendant's act of interference was intentional (the defendant intended the resulting apprehension).[6] But intent for purposes of civil assault can be either general or specific. Specific intent means that when the defendant acted, he or she intended to cause apprehension of a harmful or unwanted contact. General intent means that the defendant knew with substantial certainty that the action would put someone in apprehension of a harmful or unwanted contact.