The Five Monkeys Experiment

The Five Monkeys Experiment illustrates how behaviors or norms can persist through social influence. In the experiment, five monkeys are placed in a cage with a ladder and bananas overhead. When a monkey attempts to reach the bananas, all are sprayed with cold water, discouraging the behavior. Over time, if any monkey tries again, others will pull it back to prevent the spray, replacing monkeys as they tire and are replaced. Eventually, even if the original reason for the behavior is removed, the group continues to discourage the banana-seeking, maintaining the pattern through learned social conformity—highlighting how group behaviors can persist beyond their original purpose.