An '''operant conditioning chamber''' (usually '''Skinner box''') is a [[laboratory equipment|laboratory apparatus]] used in [[experimental psychology]] to study [[animal cognition]]. The Skinner box is named after its inventor, the [[behaviorism|behaviorist]] [[B.F. Skinner]], who created the device while a [[graduate student]] at [[Harvard University]] around [[1930]]. They are used to study both [[classical conditioning]] (especially [[autoshaping]]) and [[operant conditioning]].
[[Image:Skinner_box.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Skinner box with 2 respond levers, 2 cue lights, 1 electrified floor, 1 house light and 1 speaker are above the cage]]
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An '''operant conditioning chamber''' (also known as the '''Skinner box''') is a [[laboratory equipment|laboratory apparatus]] used in the [[experimental analysis of behavior]] to study animal behavior. The operant conditioning chamber was created by [[B. F. Skinner]] while he was a graduate student at [[Harvard University]] (Masters in 1930 and doctorate in 1931). It is used to study both [[operant conditioning]] and [[classical conditioning]].
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The structure forming the shell of a chamber is a 3-dimensional box large enough to easily accommodate the [[organism]] being used as a subject. (Common [[model organism]]s used include [[rodent]]s–usually [[brown rat|lab rats]]–[[pigeon]]s, and [[primate]]s).
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==Structure==
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Skinnerboxeshave at least one [[operanda|operandum]] (or "manipulandum") that can automatically detect the occurrence of a [[behavior]]alresponseoraction.Typicaloperandaforprimatesandrats are [[lever|response levers]];ifthe subject presses the lever, the opposite end moves andcloses a switch that is monitored by a computer or other programmed device. Typicaloperandaforpigeonsand other [[bird]]s are [[telegraphkey|responsekeys]] with a switch that closes if the bird pecks at the key with sufficient [[force]].The other minimal requirement of a conditioning chamber is that it have a means of delivering a [[primary reinforcer]] or[[unconditionedstimulus]]like[[food]](usuallypellets)or[[water]].
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Thestructureforming the shell of a chamberisaboxlargeenoughtoeasilyaccommodatethe [[organism]] beingusedas a subject. (Common[[modelorganism]]susedinclude [[rodent]]s—usually [[brownrat|labrats]]—[[pigeon]]s,and [[primate]]s).Itisoftensound-proofandlight-prooftoavoiddistracting stimuli.
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Withsuchasimpleconfiguration, one operandum and onefeeder,itispossibletoinvestigateuncountablepsychologicalphenomena.ModernSkinnerboxestypicallyhavemany operanda,likemany response levers, two or morefeeders, and a variety of devicescapable of generatingmany [[stimulus (physiology)|stimuli]],includinglights,sounds,music,figures, anddrawings.
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Operantchambershaveatleast one [[operanda|operandum]] (or "manipulandum"), and oftentwoormore,thatcanautomaticallydetecttheoccurrenceofa[[behavior]]alresponseoraction. Typical operanda for primates and ratsare response levers; if the subject presses the lever, the opposite end moves and closes a switch that is monitored by a computer or otherprogrammed device. Typical operanda for pigeons and other [[bird]]s are [[telegraph key|response keys]] with a switch that closes if the bird pecks at the key with sufficient [[force]]. The other minimal requirement of a conditioning chamber is that it has ameans of deliveringa [[primary reinforcer]] or [[unconditioned stimulus]] like food (usually pellets) orwater.Itcanalso register the delivery of a conditioned reinforcer, such as an LED (see Jackson & Hackenberg 1996 in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior for example) as a"token".
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[[Slot_machines|Slotmachines]] and [[Massively_multiplayer_online_game|onlinegames]] arefrequentlycitedasexamplesofhumandevicesthatexploitSkinnerbox-liketechniquestorandomlyrewardrepetitiveactions.
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Withsuch a simple configuration, one operandum and one feeder, it is possible to investigate many psychological phenomena. Modern operant conditioning chambers typically have many operanda, like many response levers, two or more feeders, and a variety of devices capable of generating many [[stimulus(physiology)|stimuli]],includinglights,sounds,music,figures,anddrawings.SomeconfigurationsuseanLCDpanelforthe computer generation ofessentiallyanystimulus.
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==References==
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Operant chambers can also have electrified nets or floors so that electrical charges can be given to the animals; or lights of different colors that give information about when the food is available.
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*"[http://www.parc.xerox.com/research/publications/files/5599.pdf"AloneTogether"?ExploringtheSocialDynamics of MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineGames]"(PDF)-Scientificstudyofonlinegamesdescribes[[WorldofWarcraft]]as a "virtualSkinner box".
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Althoughtheuseofshockisnotunheard of,approvalmaybeneededinsomecountriestoavoidunnecessaryharmfulexperimentationonanimals. Skinner's work did not focus on punishment,andinvolved a "pawslap" which caused him to conclude, incorrectly, that punishment was ineffective. Works by Azrin, Sidman and others in the 1960s and 1970s proved this was not the case.
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==Research Impact==
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Skinner's operant chamber allowed him to explore the rate of response as a dependent variable, as well as develop his theory of schedules of [[reinforcement]]. The first operant chambers were attached to cumulative records on drums producing characteristic pauses, scallops, and other lines.
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Operant conditioning chambers have become common in a variety of research disciplines including behavioral pharmacology, and whose results inform many disciplines outside of psychology such as [[behavioral economics]].
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==Popular 'Extensions'==
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[[Slot machine]]s and [[Massive multiplayer online game|online games]] are sometimes cited as examples of human devices that use sophisticated operant schedules of reinforcement to reward repetitive actions.<ref>{{cite book|title=Psychology: A modular approach to mind and behavior|author=Dennis Coon|year=2005|publisher=Thomson Wadsworth|isbn=0534605931|pages=278-279|<!--url=http://books.google.com/books?id=018X76Gn_T0C&pg=PA278&lpg=PA278&source=web&ots=jlkcJK1_TE&sig=0KH2H5NfUtJKX85p4wnzzm2B4_U&hl=en-->}}</ref>{{Fact|date=November 2008}}<!--Additional citations requested.--> Skinner's analysis of contingencies can be applied to almost any activity, however; including valuable ones like writing novels, and artistic exploration and creativity.
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==Skinner Box==
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Skinner is noted to have said that he didn't want to be an [[eponym]].<ref>Skinner, B. F. (1959). Cumulative record (1999 definitive ed.). Cambridge, MA: B.F. Skinner Foundation. p 620 </ref>
.File:Skinner box.pngSkinner boxFile:Skinner box.JPGSkinner box with 2 respond levers, 2 cue lights, 1 electrified floor, 1 house light and 1 speaker are above the cage
The structure forming the shell of a chamber is a box large enough to easily accommodate the organism being used as a subject. (Common model organisms used include rodents—usually lab rats—pigeons, and primates). It is often sound-proof and light-proof to avoid distracting stimuli.
Operant chambers have at least one operandum (or "manipulandum"), and often two or more, that can automatically detect the occurrence of a behavioral response or action. Typical operanda for primates and rats are response levers; if the subject presses the lever, the opposite end moves and closes a switch that is monitored by a computer or other programmed device. Typical operanda for pigeons and other birds are response keys with a switch that closes if the bird pecks at the key with sufficient force. The other minimal requirement of a conditioning chamber is that it has a means of delivering a primary reinforcer or unconditioned stimulus like food (usually pellets) or water. It can also register the delivery of a conditioned reinforcer, such as an LED (see Jackson & Hackenberg 1996 in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior for example) as a "token".
With such a simple configuration, one operandum and one feeder, it is possible to investigate many psychological phenomena. Modern operant conditioning chambers typically have many operanda, like many response levers, two or more feeders, and a variety of devices capable of generating many stimuli, including lights, sounds, music, figures, and drawings. Some configurations use an LCD panel for the computer generation of essentially any stimulus.
Operant chambers can also have electrified nets or floors so that electrical charges can be given to the animals; or lights of different colors that give information about when the food is available.
Although the use of shock is not unheard of, approval may be needed in some countries to avoid unnecessary harmful experimentation on animals. Skinner's work did not focus on punishment, and involved a "paw slap" which caused him to conclude, incorrectly, that punishment was ineffective. Works by Azrin, Sidman and others in the 1960s and 1970s proved this was not the case.
Skinner's operant chamber allowed him to explore the rate of response as a dependent variable, as well as develop his theory of schedules of reinforcement. The first operant chambers were attached to cumulative records on drums producing characteristic pauses, scallops, and other lines.
Operant conditioning chambers have become common in a variety of research disciplines including behavioral pharmacology, and whose results inform many disciplines outside of psychology such as behavioral economics.
Slot machines and online games are sometimes cited as examples of human devices that use sophisticated operant schedules of reinforcement to reward repetitive actions.[1][How to reference and link to summary or text] Skinner's analysis of contingencies can be applied to almost any activity, however; including valuable ones like writing novels, and artistic exploration and creativity.
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