Comments on: THEORY: Operant Conditioning in Dollhouse?

By: Behavioral Analysis & Skinner | The Glaring Facts

Behavioral Analysis & Skinner | The Glaring Facts — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 02:30:27 +0000

[...] | Promoting Responsibility & Learning Skinner Interview! – White Walls, SF – Blog Dollhouse Theory: B.F. Skinner, Operant Conditioning and Coffin Sleeping Ch.. Language Acquisition – fashion air max Aversive Conditioning | EssayTopics.info Dog Training [...]

By: Regina Claypool-Frey

Regina Claypool-Frey — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:42:30 +0000

Ditto what Josh said above. Aircribs and Skinner boxes, aka operant chambers, are two separate things to two different purposes. The baby is in an Aircrib, and here's a little info piece about the Aircrib.

By: Josh Pritchard

Josh Pritchard — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:44:27 +0000

Just wanted to drop a note to let you know that the operant conditioning chamber was not used with human subjects. The picture of the baby is an invention of Skinner’s to provide his children with a clean happy safe environment in which to grow up. I’m glad you are aware of Skinner’s contribution to science — but did want to clear up that the operant chamber was not something used to study his children, but rather for his scientific inquiry into the behavior of animals….

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:03:42 +0000

Interesting take – i’m actually inclined to agree on both points.
The echo box is very reminiscent of the skinner box, but also the idea of it being womb like. In the trailer Echo curls up into the fetal position whilst in the box – so maybe it is ment to be like the womb, everytime they leave they are reborn.

By: Welcome to the Echo Chamber | Joss Whedon's DOLLHOUSE FOX TV series - FANSITE - Watching Dollhouse

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:53:00 +0000

[...] unveiled their brand new show blog for Dollhouse. Called the Echo Chamber – a clever take on the Skinner box/Operant Conditioning Chamber? Yes I thought so – the site is a welcome edition to the this tiny Dollhouse [...]

By: Joss Whedon on Dollhouse's Coffin-like Sleeping Chambers | Joss Whedon's DOLLHOUSE FOX TV series - FANSITE - Watching Dollhouse

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:56:00 +0000

[...] Gray from Philly Daily News has some comments from Joss Whedon on the coffin-like sleeping chambers: “This set was built exactly 20 minutes before I walked on to it to shoot,” explained [...]

By: Roco

Roco — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:02:44 +0000

Interesting. It does seem like the beds/coffins are not in themselves uncomfortable. They might even be quite pleasant.

It does seem to be a rather conflicted device. One that serves a seemingly normal purpose, yet, as you say, comes with layers of intent.

I like the womb metaphor..representative, perhaps, of the actives being ‘re-born’ every time they go to sleep.

EDIT: I suppose there is also the direct reference to dolls being put away once a child has finished playing with them..

By: wiesengrund

wiesengrund — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:39:13 +0000

I think Whedon explictly stated that the beds are not only coffins, but also something very soft, more like a womb. the symbolism will be quite layered and twisted, i guess.