Which term refers to the association of a specific activity with a punishment or reward?

The term that refers to the association of a specific activity with a punishment or reward is operant conditioning. This learning process involves reinforcing desired behaviors through rewards or decreasing undesired behaviors through punishments. For example, when an animal performs a trick and receives a treat, the reward encourages the animal to repeat the behavior in the future. Conversely, if an undesired action leads to a negative outcome, such as a reprimand, the animal learns to avoid that behavior.

Operant conditioning is key in behavior modification practices both in training animals and in understanding their behavior patterns in various contexts, including veterinary medicine and animal husbandry. This method contrasts with classical conditioning, which focuses on associating an involuntary response with a stimulus rather than linking behavior with consequences.