Skinner built a small, soundproof
chamber that provides
an experimental space within
which an animal can be
studied (Nye, 1992). In this
box, an animal can be isolated
from interfering influences and
subjected to specific
conditions. The operant
behavior studied is lever
pressing by a rat. The
chamber contains only a bar
(or lever) and a small tray
outside the box. The tray
holds the food pellets that are
dropped into the tray when the
bar is pressed under certain
conditions.