Start with a cage containing five apes.

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, but 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.

Now turn off the cold water. If, later, another ape tries to climb the stairs, the other apes will try to prevent it;
even though they are not sprayed with water.

Now, remove one ape from the cage and replace it
with a new one. The new ape sees the banana
and tries 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 it's always been around here."

Something to think about.........