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 of 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. This continues through several more attempts.
Pretty soon, when another ape tries to
climb the stairs, the other apes all try to prevent it. Now, turn off the cold water.
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
they've always done it and that's the way it's always been around here.
