Final answer:
Physical trace analysis studies tangible evidence left by human interactions. It is utilized in fields like forensics and archaeology to understand behavior and past events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical trace analysis is referred to as the study of C) Tangible evidence produced by human interactions. By examining tangible evidence, researchers can draw conclusions about behavior, interactions, and past events that have left a physical imprint or trace. This type of analysis is crucial in fields such as forensics and archaeology, where the physical evidence can provide insights into actions and lifestyles of people from different eras or contribute to solving modern-day investigations. In contrast, hidden emotions and abstract concepts, while critical to psychology and the understanding of human behavior, often require different methodologies for study such as self-reports, interviews, or observational techniques since they cannot be measured directly through physical traces. Operant conditioning, which explains behavior as a response to learned associations between actions and consequences, also plays a role in understanding human behavior, but is not what is being referred to by physical trace analysis.