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.]

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

[C20: named after B. F. Skinner]

Skin′ner box`

n.

a box used in experiments in animal learning, esp. in operant conditioning, typically equipped with a device that gives the animal a reward, as food, or a painful stimulus, as a mild shock, for a particular performance.

[1940–45; after B. French. Skinner]