The transactional model of hostility is illustrated as a self-perpetuating cycle of social interaction. It begins with a hostile person's internal state, characterized by anger, mistrust, and a tendency to devalue others. These thoughts and feelings lead to external behaviors that are hostile, confrontational, defensive, and aggressive. In response, the recipient of this behavior typically reacts with surprise, avoidance, or defensiveness. This reaction, in turn, reinforces the hostile person's original negative beliefs and behaviors, completing the cycle.