Skinner box

noun Psychology.

a box used in experiments in animal learning, especially in operant conditioning, equipped with a mechanism that automatically gives the animal food or other reward or permits escape, as by opening a door.

Origin of Skinner box

First recorded in 1940–45; named after B. F. Skinner

British Dictionary definitions for skinner box

Skinner box

noun

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 for Skinner box

C20: named after B. F. Skinner