What process typically strengthens or weakens responses based on rewards?

The process that strengthens or weakens responses based on rewards is operant conditioning. This concept, developed by B.F. Skinner, emphasizes the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior. When a behavior is followed by a rewarding stimulus, it is more likely to be repeated in the future. Conversely, if a behavior leads to a negative outcome or punishment, it is likely to decrease over time.

Operant conditioning focuses specifically on how the consequences of a behavior influence future actions, making it an essential framework for understanding behavioral modification in educational environments. This process is practical in settings where behavior management is necessary, fostering an understanding of how rewards can motivate positive behaviors in children and adolescents.

In contrast, classical conditioning involves learning through association and does not directly depend on reward or punishment mechanisms. Direct instruction refers to explicit teaching strategies rather than behavior modification through reactions to consequences. Sensory memory relates to the brief retention of sensory information and does not involve the behavioral changes driven by rewards or punishments. Therefore, operant conditioning is the correct answer, as it directly links behavior to its consequences through reinforcement and punishment.