Which statement about negative reinforcement is most accurate?

A. A phobia of speaking in public can be characterized as a classically conditioned behavior. This is because phobias often develop when a neutral stimulus, such as public speaking, is paired with a negative experience, leading to a conditioned fear response.
B. A visually learned behavior involves acquiring skills or information through visual observation, which is not directly related to the development of phobias.
C. An operantly conditioned behavior is one that is learned through reinforcement or punishment. While it plays a role in some behavioral responses, it is less directly involved in the formation of phobias than classical conditioning.
D. A kinesthetically learned behavior involves learning through physical activities or movements, which is not applicable to the development of a phobia of speaking in public.

A. Both operant and classical conditioning involve observable stimuli and responses. In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. In operant conditioning, behaviors are influenced by consequences like reinforcement or punishment.

B. They are complementary rather than competing concepts, each explaining different types of learning. Classical conditioning deals with associations between stimuli, while operant conditioning deals with consequences of behavior.

C. Both classical and operant conditioning apply to both human and nonhuman behavior, not exclusively one or the other.

D. While classical conditioning can involve learned responses to fear, it is not the sole focus of either conditioning type, which can apply to a wide range of behaviors.