The concept is created in honor of Dr. B.F Skinner, the renowned behavioral psychologist who did much to further our understanding of animal (and human) behavior.

Like Pavlov (Pavlov's Dogs) he was interested in the theory of punishment and reward as the motivating factor in animal behavior.

The theory was known as "Operant Conditioning."

 He is famous for demonstrating this concept using lab rats in metal cages known as  "Skinner Boxes."
SkinnerRat

Subsequent researchers modified the skinner box.

The boxes were equipped with a lever, which sent electricity to the implanted electrodes.

Those with the pleasure center electrodes lay on their levers ignoring food and water until their deaths.

Those with pain center electrodes remained on the opposite side of the cage ignoring food and water next to the lever.
 

Skinner and researchers that came after him proved the powerful force of Pain and Pleasure, Punishment and Reward and their importance in animal behavior. Dr. Telgenhoff not only embraces the theory, but also sees it as sufficient to explain all of animal and human (for those that insist that we are different) behavior.

In addition, Dr. T noted that one of the best examples of Operant Conditioning in today's world is the slot machine (the lever and handle being an extension of that in the Skinner Box.)

drt@skinnerrat.com