Final answer:
Homans' framework posits that rewards, punishments, and reinforcements are the essential elements influencing social behavior.The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Homans' framework, the essential elements are C. Rewards, punishments, and reinforcements. These operate as the fundamental drivers of social behavior and are key components of social exchange theory. George Homans developed this theory to explain how individuals engage in social interaction to receive benefits or rewards while avoiding punishments. This exchange of goods, both material and nonmaterial, is based on the expectations that parties will reciprocate. Thus, social behavior is shaped by the pursuit of these rewards, the avoidance of punishments, and the influence of past reinforcements.