A Skinner box is a chamber with a highly controlled environment that was used to study which of the following psychological processes?

• A. Operant conditioning in animals
• B. Cognitive dissonance in adults
• C. Classical conditioning in humans
• D. Observational learning in children

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key concept of the Skinner box: it is a device used primarily in behavioral psychology to study learning processes in animals under controlled conditions.
2. Recall that the Skinner box was developed by B.F. Skinner, who focused on how behaviors are influenced by their consequences, which is the foundation of operant conditioning.
3. Differentiate operant conditioning from other learning processes: operant conditioning involves learning through rewards and punishments, whereas classical conditioning involves associating two stimuli, observational learning involves learning by watching others, and cognitive dissonance relates to conflicting beliefs.
4. Recognize that the Skinner box allows researchers to measure how animals modify their behavior based on reinforcement or punishment, which directly relates to operant conditioning.
5. Conclude that the Skinner box is used to study operant conditioning in animals, not the other listed psychological processes.