Which of the following is an essential aspect of conversion?

The essential aspect of conversion is that the defendant must have exercised control over the chattel. In tort law, conversion refers to an intentional interference with a person's right to possess their personal property, resulting in the deprivation of that property. For a claim of conversion to be valid, the defendant must have taken control or dominion over the property in a way that effectively denies the plaintiff's right to it. This control can manifest in various forms, such as taking, using, or altering the chattel without permission.

The focus on control highlights the nature of the wrong, which is based on the unauthorized assumption of ownership or use over someone else’s property. This distinguishes conversion from other torts, such as theft, which may involve different legal standards and definitions.

The other options address aspects that are not foundational to the claim of conversion. For instance, the intent of the plaintiff is less relevant to a conversion claim, making the requirement regarding the plaintiff's intent to commit a wrongful act not essential in itself. The idea that the defendant can claim superior rights over the chattel is also misplaced in the context of conversion since such a claim would typically be a defense rather than a requirement for establishing the tort. Lastly, proving negligence on the defendant's part