Skinner himself (1953, Science and Human Behavior) — VR's power illustrated via GAMBLING: "the efficacy of such schedules in generating high rates has long been known to the proprietors of gambling establishments"

Claim: In Science and Human Behavior (1953), Skinner illustrated VR's power via gambling, writing that "the efficacy of such schedules in generating high rates has long been known to the proprietors of gambling" establishments (quoted in "B.F. Skinner's Views on Gambling," Behavior & Social Issues 7(2)). VR operant responding is widely used as a model of slot-machine gambling.

Source: Skinner (1953); B&SI 7(2).

Confidence: Verified.

Why this matters for Candid: The classic VR-schedule evidence base, as characterised in textbooks and reviews, is overwhelmingly about COMPULSION / gambling / addiction and extinction-resistance — NOT benign engagement. This is the dominant framing — and exactly why the mechanism is risky to cite for benign tools. Anchors R6 — When variable/uncertain feedback is appropriate, cite Shen-Fishbach-Hsee (benign motivating-uncertainty, process focus, immediate resolution) — NOT Skinner box; respect the dark-pattern caveat.