The reason your cat knocks things off tables isn't spite, and here's the actual behavior

Owners describe a cat knocking objects off a table as spiteful or attention-seeking, but the behavior is almost always simpler: cats test objects with a paw to check whether they're prey, and gravity does the rest regardless of the cat's intent toward the object.

The motion is instinctual testing behavior inherited from hunting small prey, not a targeted decision to annoy you. Cats that do this most are often simply the most naturally curious and predatory-driven individuals, not the most badly behaved.

Redirecting the behavior with a dedicated puzzle feeder that rewards the same paw-testing motion works far better than punishment, since punishment targets a behavior the cat isn't choosing on purpose in the first place.

Part of the deeper dive: The Practical Pet Owner's Guide: Training, Behavior, and What's Actually Normal.