I think that's a reasonable assumption. It all depends on the context, of course, and what type of aspect (trine, square, etc); but applying, antipathetic-reception aspects generally speak of struggles and difficulties of some sort, whether they be tangible ones (intending overt harm) or simply that the two parties are not on the same page.
Think of the difference between an applying square between the Moon in Libra and Venus in Cancer (reception by domicile); and an applying square between the Moon in Libra and Mars in Capricorn (reception by detriment). In the first square, the two parties may find that they have enough common ground (domicile) to resolve the conflict (square), albeit with some compromise; in the second, it seems unlikely that any common ground would be found at all, let alone a compromise or a peaceable resolution. Now put this into the context of, say, a lawsuit, and you can see what a difference this can make to the outcome. This would hold true with any aspect that was applying; what would change was the nature of the interaction. 'Negative' reception when the aspect is a trine is very different from when it is an opposition.
In cases where there is
no aspect, only the receptiveness, we can view this as "idea" rather than action.
Hope this clears it up a bit.
AG