Final answer:
Conditioning involves learning through rewards or punishments to alter the likelihood of a behavior's occurrence. Operant conditioning, one type, focuses on consequences after the behavior and can involve different reinforcement schedules to shape the behavior.
Therefore, option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
A method of learning that involves connecting a behavior with a reward or punishment is known as conditioning. There are two main types of conditioning: classical and operant. Operant conditioning, based on the work of B.F. Skinner, is a form of learning where the motivation for a behavior occurs after the behavior is demonstrated. An organism receives a consequence, which can be a reinforcer that increases the likelihood of the behavior occurring again, or a punisher that decreases it. This method of learning can involve various reinforcement schedules, which can be based on either a set or variable period of time.
Examples of operant conditioning include training a dog to fetch by rewarding it with treats, or teaching rats to perform tasks by rewarding them with food pellets. In both cases, the behavior is modified by the consequence of the action, strengthening or weakening it for future instances.