Skinner box

noun

A box or cage in which a subject (usually an animal) may be isolated from outside influences and studied; used in operant conditioning experiments where the subject can operate a lever to obtain a reward or avoid a painful shock.

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Meanings

nounSkinner box (plural Skinner boxes)

plural Skinner boxes

  1. behavioral scienceA box or cage in which a subject (usually an animal) may be isolated from outside influences and studied; used in operant conditioning experiments where the subject can operate a lever to obtain a reward or avoid a painful shock.

Origin

From Burrhus Frederick Skinner (1904-1990), its inventor.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish Skinnerin laatikko
  • Skinnerin laatikkoenclosure used in behavioral science
Cite this entry
APA

Skinner box. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Skinner%20box

MLA

“Skinner box.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Skinner%20box. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Skinner box,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Skinner%20box.

Source: Skinner box on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.