Which of the following is an element of self-defense?

Self-defense is a legal concept that allows individuals to use reasonable force to protect themselves from an immediate threat of harm. The core element of self-defense is the "reasonable belief of imminent risk of harm." This means that a person must genuinely perceive that they are facing an immediate threat that could result in physical injury. In this context, the perceived threat must be urgent and present, as self-defense is justified only when there is a clear, immediate danger.

The rationale behind this element is to ensure that individuals can protect themselves from harm without resorting to violence without reason. This immediate and reasonable belief can lead to an instinctual response to prevent injury and protect one's safety.

The other options do not align with the essential legal requirements for self-defense. Proactive aggression refers to an aggressive act initiated without provocation, while an expectation of bodily harm in the future does not meet the necessity for imminent danger. Lastly, intention to retaliate suggests a motive rooted in revenge, which does not constitute self-defense since such a motive contradicts the principle of responding to an immediate threat.