Which type of behaviorist conditioning changes voluntary behaviors through manipulating environmental variables?

The correct answer is operant conditioning because it focuses on the use of reinforcement and punishment to shape voluntary behaviors. This form of conditioning is based on the idea that behaviors are influenced by the consequences that follow them. When a behavior is followed by a reinforcer, it increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. Conversely, if a behavior is followed by a punisher, it decreases the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

Operant conditioning is fundamental in early childhood education as it helps educators guide children in acquiring new skills and reducing unwanted behaviors by modifying the environment to provide appropriate stimuli and consequences. The emphasis on voluntary behaviors distinguishes operant conditioning from classical conditioning, which primarily focuses on involuntary responses to external stimuli. Respondent conditioning is a less common term that is sometimes used interchangeably with classical conditioning, and instrumental conditioning, while similar to operant conditioning, is not as widely recognized in the context of behavior modification.