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Start with a cage containing five apes. In the cage
hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it.
Before long, an ape will go to the stairs and start
to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches
the stairs, spray all the apes with cold water.
After a while another ape makes an attempt with the
same result – all the apes are sprayed with cold
water. Turn off the cold water. If, later, another
ape tries to climb the stairs, the other apes will
try to prevent it even though no water sprays on
them.
Now,
remove one ape from the cage and replace it with a
new one. The New Ape sees the banana and wants to
climb the stairs. To his horror all of the other
apes attack him. After another attempt and attack,
he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he
will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five apes and
replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the
stairs and is attacked. The previous Newcomer takes
part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Again
replace a third original ape with a new one. The new
one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well.
Two
of the four apes that beat him have no idea why they
were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they
are participating in the beating of the newest ape.
After replacing the fourth and fifth original apes,
all the apes which have been sprayed with cold water
have been replaced. Nevertheless, no ape ever again
approaches the stairs. Why not?
“Because that’s the way it’s always been done around
here.” |
