Final answer:
B.F. Skinner invented the conditioning chamber, known as the Skinner box, for operant conditioning studies. Skinner focused on the consequences of behavior for reinforcement or punishment, unlike Pavlov, who is known for classical conditioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inventor of the conditioning chamber in which rats pressed levers to earn food rewards was B.F. Skinner. This invention is widely known as the Skinner box, and it is an essential tool for scientific studies in operant conditioning. Skinner's approach to learning and behavior relied on the principle that behaviors could be strengthened or weakened based on their consequences, which could include rewards or punishments. It is important to clarify that Ivan Pavlov is associated with classical conditioning, which differs from Skinner's operant conditioning. Classical conditioning involves learning to associate stimuli to anticipate events, such as Pavlov's experiments with dogs salivating to the sound of a bell anticipating food, whereas operant conditioning modifies behavior through consequences as demonstrated by Skinner's work.