What is a Skinner box primarily used to study?

A Skinner box, also known as an operant conditioning chamber, is primarily used to study operant conditioning, which is a learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment. In a Skinner box, an animal, typically a rat or pigeon, is placed inside the chamber where it can perform certain behaviors, such as pressing a lever. When the animal performs the desired behavior, it receives a reward, such as food, which reinforces that behavior, making it more likely to occur in the future.

This method allows researchers to observe the effects of different reinforcement schedules and conditions on behavior over time. The emphasis on the relationship between behavior and its consequences makes the Skinner box an essential tool for studying the principles of operant conditioning. The other options, such as sensory memory, classical conditioning, and cognitive development, involve different concepts and methodologies that do not directly pertain to the primary use of the Skinner box.