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
Word origin
C20: named after B. F. Skinner
Skinner box in American English
noun
Psychology
a box used in experiments in animal learning, esp. in operant conditioning, equipped with a mechanism that automatically gives the animal food or other reward or permits escape, as by opening a door
Word origin
[1940–45; named after B. F. skinner]This word is first recorded in the period 1940–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: airlift, set-aside, update, whiteout, zap