Communication Theory Today (CTT)

4

We Transact Culture

A scientist is running an experiment and has locked 5 monkeys in a cage. At the top of the cage hangs some bananas. Inside the cage and directly underneath the bananas, there is a ladder. Immediately, one of the monkeys races towards the ladder to climb it and grab the bananas. However, as soon as the monkey started to climb, the scientist sprays that monkey as well as the other four monkeys with ice water. Then a second monkey tries to climb the ladder. Same result, all of the monkeys get sprayed. This same process continues until all five monkeys have attempted to climb the ladder and all monkeys have been sprayed for each attempt. The scientist then replaces one of the veteran monkeys with a newbie. As soon as the new monkey walks towards the ladder, the other four monkeys jump him and beat him up. The scientist then replaces a second monkey. As soon as the second new monkey walks towards the ladder, he is beat up by all the monkeys in the cage – including the first replacement monkey that had never been exposed to the cold water treatment. This process continues until the 5th replacement monkey is put in the cage. He runs towards the bananas and gets beat up by the other four monkeys. The 5th monkey then asks, “why do you beat me up when I try to get the bananas?” The other four monkeys look at one another, shrug their shoulders, and say “Don’t know. But that’s the way we do things around here.”