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The allegory of the five monkeys

Steve Urquhart
Steve Urquhart

The document describes an allegory about five monkeys in a cage with a banana hanging above by a string. When the monkeys try to climb the stairs to reach the banana, they are sprayed with cold water. Over time, any monkey that tries to climb the stairs is attacked by the others, even as the original monkeys are replaced. Eventually none of the monkeys will try to climb the stairs, not because of the cold water, but because that is how it has always been done based on what the other monkeys do. The allegory illustrates how socialization and organizational culture can influence behavior and demand compliance.

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The Allegory of the Five Monkeys Bonus Session Presented by: Steve Urquhart Orange County Clerk of Courts Its a jungle out there!
Once there was a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hung a banana on a string with a set of stairs under it. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
Before long, one of the monkeys would attempt to climb the stairs towards the bananas. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
As soon as he touches the stairs, all of the monkeys are sprayed with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result. All the monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, none of the monkeys will try to climb the stairs. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
Having learned their lesson, the cold water is put away. One monkey is removed from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
The Allegory of the Five Monkeys Next, remove another of the original five monkeys 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. Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then a fifth.
The Allegory of the Five Monkeys Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.
The Allegory of the Five Monkeys After replacing all of the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana. Why not? Because as far as they know, that's the way it's always been done. It becomes clear that socialization (and organizational culture) can shape our thoughts, influence our behaviors and demand our compliance.
The Allegory of the Five Monkeys Because weve always done it that way
The Allegory of the Five Monkeys

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The allegory of the five monkeys

  • 1. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys Bonus Session Presented by: Steve Urquhart Orange County Clerk of Courts Its a jungle out there!
  • 2. Once there was a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hung a banana on a string with a set of stairs under it. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
  • 3. Before long, one of the monkeys would attempt to climb the stairs towards the bananas. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
  • 4. As soon as he touches the stairs, all of the monkeys are sprayed with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result. All the monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, none of the monkeys will try to climb the stairs. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
  • 5. Having learned their lesson, the cold water is put away. One monkey is removed from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
  • 6. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys
  • 7. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys Next, remove another of the original five monkeys 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. Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then a fifth.
  • 8. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.
  • 9. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys After replacing all of the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana. Why not? Because as far as they know, that's the way it's always been done. It becomes clear that socialization (and organizational culture) can shape our thoughts, influence our behaviors and demand our compliance.
  • 10. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys Because weve always done it that way
  • 11. The Allegory of the Five Monkeys