Skinner box

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.

[After Burrhus Frederick SKINNER.]

An experimental enclosure for testing animal conditioning, in which the subject animal performs (e.g. presses a bar or lever) to obtain a reward. See also instrumental conditioning.