In operant conditioning, __________ is necessary to create the association between the stimulus and the repetition of a voluntary response.

A) reinforcement
B) the law of negative effect
C) conditional emotional linkages
D) a long time delay

Reinforcement is necessary to create the association between the stimulus and the repetition of a voluntary response in operant conditioning. It strengthens the behavior and increases the likelihood of it being repeated in the future. The other options are not necessary for this process. The law of negative effect refers to reducing the likelihood of a behavior repeating if it has negative consequences. Conditional emotional linkages are associations between stimuli and emotions, not behavior. A long time delay would not be helpful in creating an association between a stimulus and a response.