A cute story of the ape experiment and how
they can be conditioned.
If you start with a cage and put 5 apes in it and hang a
banana from a string and put stairs under it before long an ape will begin to climb the
stairs toward the banana's. As soon as he touches the stairs spray all of the apes with
cold water. After a while another ape will make the same attempt with the same result that
they all get sprayed with cold water. Turn off the water and soon an ape will try to climb
the stairs and the other apes will try to prevent him because they don't want to get
sprayed with cold water. Then replace one of the apes with a new one. When the new ape
sees the banana he will begin to climb stairs and to his horror the other apes will attack
him. After another attempt and an attack he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs he
will get attacked. Next remove one of the original apes and replace it with a new one. The
new comer goes to the stairs and he's attacked too. The previous new comer takes part in
the punishment with enthusiasm. Again replace the 3rd original ape with a new one and when
he makes it to the stairs he is attacked as well. 2 of the 4 apes have no idea why they
are attacked for climbing the stairs or why they are beating up on the new for his
attempt. After replacing the 4th & 5th original apes all the apes that have been
sprayed with cold water are no longer in there and no ape will approach the stairs. Why
not? Know one really know its just the way its always been done around here.
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