Final answer:
An operational definition is used to describe changes in the environment related to behavior, providing a specific and measurable criterion for concepts in research to ensure consistency and reproducibility in scientific studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of definition that describes changes in the environment related to behavior is an operational definition. This definition is crucial in the realm of research, where concepts need to be measured objectively. By forming an operational definition, scientists and researchers specify the exact actions and operations that will be used to measure the dependent variables and manipulate the independent variables. This ensures that all researchers can collect data in a systematic or replicable manner.
An operational definition identifies observable conditions of a concept and sets specific criteria for measurement. For example, defining "good drivers" as those who have never received a traffic violation is an operational definition because it provides a specific, observable, and measurable criterion. Such definitions help maintain consistency and allow for the replication of studies, making them a fundamental component of scientific research, including sociological studies that observe relationships between variables.