How to Condition Monkeys Is the Same As Conditioning Humans

A cage contains five monkeys. A banana is hung from the top and a step-ladder is placed underneath. Before long a monkey will try to climb the steps to reach the banana.

As soon as he touches the steps, the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water.

After a while another monkey makes an attempt, with the same result. The other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Soon when a monkey tries to climb the steps, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put the cold water away.

Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one.

The new monkey sees the banana and attempts to climb the steps. To his shock, all the other monkeys beat the crap out of him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs he will be punished.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys, replacing it with a new one.

The newcomer starts up the steps and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment, and with enthusiasm, because he is now ‘one of the team.’

Then, replace a third original monkey with a new one, followed by the fourth, then the fifth. Every time the newest monkey tries for the banana, he is attacked.

Now, the monkeys that are beating him up have no idea why they are not permitted to climb the steps. Neither do they know why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

Finally, having replaced all of the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys will have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, not one of the monkeys will try to climb the steps for the banana.

Why, you ask? Because in their minds, that is the way it has always been.

This, my friends, is how Government operates. And this is why, every now and then, all the monkeys need to be replaced at the same time.