Final answer:
Carl's action of checking his email when he hears the 'ding' is an example of associative learning, specifically classical conditioning, where a behavior becomes linked to a previously neutral stimulus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior described - Carl checks his email after he hears the 'ding' that signifies a new message just arrived - is an example of associative learning. This type of learning involves forming a connection between a stimulus and a response. Considering the information provided, there are two forms of associative learning, classical conditioning and operant conditioning. In this scenario, every time Carl hears the 'ding', which serves as a conditioned stimulus, he responds by checking his email, demonstrating a learned behavior. This resembles classical conditioning where a natural reflex or behavior (checking the email) becomes associated with a previously neutral stimulus (the 'ding').
An example of operant conditioning would involve consequences after a behavior, such as a dolphin receiving a fish for performing a flip after hearing a whistle, as mentioned in the provided information.