First researched by BF Skinner after several experiments with the pigeon, he is a great American behaviorist.
The experiment with the pigeon
A pigeon is placed in a box containing a button and a window, behind
which some food is hidden. When the pigeon presses the button and the
window goes up, the pigeon can take the food. "Like most living
creatures, the pigeon quickly associates the pressing of the lever and
the reward. But when a timer releases the seed automatically every 20
seconds, every 20 seconds, the pigeon wonders: "What did I do to deserve
this?" If it was flapping its wings at the time, it'll continue to
flap, convinced that its actions have a decisive influence on what
happens. We call this 'pigeon superstition.'".
