A rapid automatic technique for generating operant key-press behavior in rats.

The team built a small box for rats. A metal key stuck out of one wall.

When a rat pressed the key, a food tray slid forward and gave one pellet.

Each rat got one hour alone in the box. No person stayed in the room.

Every rat learned to press the key ten times for food. This took less than one hour.

Control tests proved the rats pressed because of the food, not by accident.

Brown et al. (1968) showed pigeons peck a key after lights and food are paired. The birds did not need to peck to get food.

Schwartz et al. (1971) used the same idea but made the rat's press the only way to get food. The rat had to work.

Baker et al. (2005) later used a lever instead of a key. Mice learned in two sessions. Rats learned faster, in one session.

Azrin et al. (1967) built a new shock box for rats. Both papers show clever ways to run rat studies without people in the room.

You can teach a new response quickly if the setup does the work. Put the learner alone with clear contingencies. Check data after the session. This saves staff time and keeps teaching clean.