Skinner box

Skinner box

n.

A soundproof, light-resistant box or cage used in laboratories to isolate an animal for experiments in operant conditioning and usually containing only a bar or lever to be pressed by the animal to gain a reward, such as food, or to avoid a painful stimulus, such as a shock.

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[After Burrhus Frederick Skinner.]

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Skinner box

n

(Psychology) a device for studying the learning behaviour of animals, esp rats and pigeons, consisting of a box in which the animal can move a lever to obtain a reward, such as a food pellet, or a punishment, such as an electric shock

[named after Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904-90), US behavioural psychologist]