Scientists conducted an experiment with 5 monkeys in a cage with a ladder and bananas. Whenever a monkey climbed the ladder, the scientists sprayed the other monkeys with cold water. Over time, the monkeys began beating up any monkey that tried to climb the ladder to avoid being sprayed themselves. Even after substituting monkeys, the new monkeys learned not to climb the ladder through beatings by the others, despite none of them ever experiencing the cold water punishment. This showed how behaviors can be learned and spread within a group without full understanding of the original reasons.

1. (Paradigm=Example)

2. A group of scientists placed 5 monkeys in a cage and in theA group of scientists placed 5 monkeys in a cage and in the
middle, a ladder with bananas on the top.middle, a ladder with bananas on the top.

3. Every time a monkey went up the ladder, the scientistsEvery time a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists
soaked the rest of the monkeys with cold water.soaked the rest of the monkeys with cold water.

4. After a while, every time a monkey went up the ladder, theAfter a while, every time a monkey went up the ladder, the
others beat up the one on the ladder.others beat up the one on the ladder.

5. After some time, no monkey dare to go upAfter some time, no monkey dare to go up
the ladder regardless of the temptation.the ladder regardless of the temptation.

6. Scientists then decided to substitute one of the monkeys.
The 1st
thing this new monkey did was to go up the ladder.
Immediately the other monkeys beat him up.
After several beatings, the
new member learned not to
climb the ladder even
though never knew why.

7. A 2nd
monkey was substituted and the same occurred. The 1st
monkey
participated on the beating for the 2nd
monkey. A 3rd
monkey was
changed and the same was repeated (beating). The 4th
was substituted
and the beating was repeated and finally the 5th
monkey was replaced.

8. What was left was a group of 5 monkeys that even though
never received a cold shower, continued to beat up any
monkey who attempted to climb the ladder.

9. If it was possible to ask the monkeys why they would beat
up all those who attempted to go up the ladder…..
I bet you the answer would be….
“I don’t know – that’s how things are done around here”
Does it sounds familiar?

10. Don’t miss the opportunity to share this with others as
they might be asking themselves why we continue to do
what we are doing if there is a different way out there.

11. "Only two"Only two things are infinitethings are infinite: The: The
universe and human stupidity.universe and human stupidity.
And I am not so sure about theAnd I am not so sure about the
former."former."
Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

12. Please send a blank email to: happycognition@outlook.com for more information on
Training in NLP and Neuro-leadership, behaviour change and performance
improvement.
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