Did the monkey banana and water spray experiment ever take place?
The Monkey Banana and Water Spray Experiment
The experiment is not real.
A vaguely similar experiment by Stephenson (1966) is often quoted as if it supports the story, but it does not. The results of that real experiment do not in any way support the "herd mentality" moral of the story; in some cases, they actively contradicts it.
This is how it is commonly told:
"The Experiment- Part 1
5 monkeys are locked in a cage, a banana was hung from the ceiling and a ladder was placed right underneath it.
As predicted, immediately, one of the monkeys would race towards the ladder, to grab the banana. However, as soon as he would start to climb, the researcher would spray the monkey with ice-cold water.
but here's the kicker- In addition, he would also spray the other four monkeys.
When a second monkey tried to climb the ladder, the researcher would, again, spray the monkey with ice-cold water, As well as the other four watching monkeys;
This was repeated again and again until they learned their lesson
Climbing equals scary cold water for EVERYONE so No One Climbs the ladder.
The Experiment- Part 2
Once the 5 monkeys knew the drill, the researcher replaced one of the monkeys with a new inexperienced one. As predicted, the new monkey spots the banana, and goes for the ladder. BUT, the other four monkeys, knowing the drill, jumped on the new monkey and beat him up. The beat up new guy thus Learns- NO going for the ladder and No Banana Period- without even knowing why! and also without ever being sprayed with water!
These actions get repeated with 3 more times, with a new monkey each time and ASTONISHINGLY each new monkey- who had never received the cold-water Spray himself (and didn't even know anything about it), would Join the beating up of the New guy.
This is a classic example of Mob Mentality- bystanders and outsiders uninvolved with the fight- join in 'just because'.
When the researcher replaced a third monkey, the same thing happened; likewise for the fourth until, eventually, all the monkeys had been replaced and none of the original ones are left in the cage (that had been sprayed by water).
The Experiment- Part 3
Again, a new monkey was introduced into the cage. It ran toward the ladder only to get beaten up by the others. The monkey turns with a curious face asking "why do you beat me up when I try to get the banana?"
The other four monkeys stopped and looked at each other puzzled (None of them had been sprayed and so they really had no clue why the new guy can't get the banana) but it didn't matter, it was too late, the rules had been set. And So, although they didn't know WHY, they beat up the monkey just because " that's the way we do things around here"
There is no evidence that that this experiment ever took place. An experiment was done in 1966 that involved pairs of monkeys but the results are irrelevant to the above story. Some of the results actually contradict the story: in some pairs, the new monkey behaved so fearlessly around the object that the first monkey learned to lose their fear of it altogether.
Sources:
Stephenson, G. R. (1967). Cultural acquisition of a specific learned response among rhesus monkeys. In: Starek, D., Schneider, R., and Kuhn, H. J. (eds.), Progress in Primatology, Stuttgart: Fischer, pp. 279-288.
Mentioned in: Galef, B. G., Jr. (1976). Social Transmission of Acquired Behavior: A Discussion of Tradition and Social Learning in Vertebrates. In: Rosenblatt, J.S., Hinde, R.A., Shaw, E. and Beer, C. (eds.), Advances in the study of behavior, Vol. 6, New York: Academic Press, pp. 87-88:
The experiment is not real.
A vaguely similar experiment by Stephenson (1966) is often quoted as if it supports the story, but it does not. The results of that real experiment do not in any way support the "herd mentality" moral of the story; in some cases, they actively contradicts it.
This is how it is commonly told:
"The Experiment- Part 1
5 monkeys are locked in a cage, a banana was hung from the ceiling and a ladder was placed right underneath it.
As predicted, immediately, one of the monkeys would race towards the ladder, to grab the banana. However, as soon as he would start to climb, the researcher would spray the monkey with ice-cold water.
but here's the kicker- In addition, he would also spray the other four monkeys.
When a second monkey tried to climb the ladder, the researcher would, again, spray the monkey with ice-cold water, As well as the other four watching monkeys;
This was repeated again and again until they learned their lesson
Climbing equals scary cold water for EVERYONE so No One Climbs the ladder.
The Experiment- Part 2
Once the 5 monkeys knew the drill, the researcher replaced one of the monkeys with a new inexperienced one. As predicted, the new monkey spots the banana, and goes for the ladder. BUT, the other four monkeys, knowing the drill, jumped on the new monkey and beat him up. The beat up new guy thus Learns- NO going for the ladder and No Banana Period- without even knowing why! and also without ever being sprayed with water!
These actions get repeated with 3 more times, with a new monkey each time and ASTONISHINGLY each new monkey- who had never received the cold-water Spray himself (and didn't even know anything about it), would Join the beating up of the New guy.
This is a classic example of Mob Mentality- bystanders and outsiders uninvolved with the fight- join in 'just because'.
When the researcher replaced a third monkey, the same thing happened; likewise for the fourth until, eventually, all the monkeys had been replaced and none of the original ones are left in the cage (that had been sprayed by water).
The Experiment- Part 3
Again, a new monkey was introduced into the cage. It ran toward the ladder only to get beaten up by the others. The monkey turns with a curious face asking "why do you beat me up when I try to get the banana?"
The other four monkeys stopped and looked at each other puzzled (None of them had been sprayed and so they really had no clue why the new guy can't get the banana) but it didn't matter, it was too late, the rules had been set. And So, although they didn't know WHY, they beat up the monkey just because " that's the way we do things around here"
There is no evidence that that this experiment ever took place. An experiment was done in 1966 that involved pairs of monkeys but the results are irrelevant to the above story. Some of the results actually contradict the story: in some pairs, the new monkey behaved so fearlessly around the object that the first monkey learned to lose their fear of it altogether.
Sources:
Stephenson, G. R. (1967). Cultural acquisition of a specific learned response among rhesus monkeys. In: Starek, D., Schneider, R., and Kuhn, H. J. (eds.), Progress in Primatology, Stuttgart: Fischer, pp. 279-288.
Mentioned in: Galef, B. G., Jr. (1976). Social Transmission of Acquired Behavior: A Discussion of Tradition and Social Learning in Vertebrates. In: Rosenblatt, J.S., Hinde, R.A., Shaw, E. and Beer, C. (eds.), Advances in the study of behavior, Vol. 6, New York: Academic Press, pp. 87-88:
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View Full Interview Answered
Do monkeys really like bananas?
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What are bananas sprayed with to accelerate ripening?
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Low-Fat Monkey Cake
There's no monkey business when it comes to this banana cake. This is an excellent low-fat dessert that everyone will enjoy. You can spice it up a bit too by adding raisins an…d walnuts to the cake. Don't forget that using extra ripe bananas are the best for the cake. Have fun baking and enjoy your low-fat monkey cake.Before you can begin cooking you will need to prepare your cooking space. Make sure that your counters are clear of clutter, you have your mixing bowls, mixing spoons, measuring spoons, measuring cups, and cake pan out. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a small bowl. Set this bowl aside to use later.Next you will mix the beaten egg with the brown sugar. You will beat the mixture until the mixture is nice and fluffy.Now add the applesauce, milk, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Mix this until everything is completely smooth. The smoother the mixture the better. This is a good time to put any of the dishes you have used in the sink with some hot water.Now you will slowly add the flour mix. Blend this mixture until completely smooth. If it is not smooth you will have a cake full of holes.Now grab the cake pan and pour the cake mix evenly into the pan. Place the cake in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. You can check the cake for doneness by inserting a butter knife in the center of the cake and pulling it out. If it is done the knife will come out clean.Let the cake cool completely before you eat it. You can also add walnuts as garnish to give the cake a slightly different texture. You can add walnuts to the batter while preparing if you prefer. Just add them before you pour the cake batter into the pan. Serve the low fat banana cake with cold milk for a delicious treat.You can add a low-fat cream cheese frosting to the cake for a little flare. You can either make the frosting from scratch or buy some. You can also substitute a cream cheese frosting for a chocolate frosting or light glaze. (MORE)
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Top Visitor Attractions: Exploring Monkey Jungle
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Information About Pet Monkey Ownership
Moneys can be cute. They are undeniably intelligent. It can be argued that we find them so smart and cute because they look and act much like humans. However, people do a diss…ervice to the animals and themselves when they have monkeys for pets. Unless a person is a primate expert with the experience and facilities to handle pet monkeys, it is not a good idea for myriad reasons.Monkeys' arms and legs resemble humans', but monkeys easily navigate trees by gripping branches with their hands and feet. Having thumbs on both hands and feet suggests that tree climbing is a natural activity for monkeys. This further suggests outdoor environments are ideal. Being in a cage is not conducive to the health of an animal meant to live in the wild.Unless the private owner is an expert in primate behavior and care and has a huge enclosed area that duplicates life in the wild, the answer is no. Monkeys are very cute as babies. This cuteness ends at puberty. The larger monkeys, such as chimpanzees, reach puberty between the ages of five and ten. For smaller primates, this happens as early as two years of age. That is when the monkeys become potentially dangerous. The pet needs a tremendous amount of attention and will not take kindly to being left alone for extended periods of time. In the event it is left unattended for any significant period, it will be destructive. Moreover, monkeys exhibit behaviors such as pacing and hugging themselves when left alone, which suggest mental or emotional disturbances.Monkeys are like humans. They need monkey-to-monkey interaction the ways humans need contact with other humans. When monkeys don't get this interaction, they can become possessive of the primary caregiver and bite other family members, friends, and anyone else in the setting. The monkey will also bite the primary caregiver when frustrated, and it can happen often. Also, monkeys will often fly into rages and strike the owner or others. In addition, while the risk of disease from monkey bites or scratches is low, they should be tested with polymerase chain reaction tests to rule out diseases such as tuberculosis before purchase and annually thereafter. Injury to neighbors and friends could also cause legal action against the owner. When the pitfalls of monkey ownership are not pondered, often the final outcome is not a happy one for the owner or pet.Monkeys can have unusually weak immune systems and the owner must spend considerable resources to ensure the physical health of the animal. There is a greater risk in the animal contracting a disease from interaction with humans than the other way around. If the pet remains physically healthy, it often still suffers mentally. A potential owner has to decide whether he or she is prepared to care for the animal for 20 to 30, or possibly even 40 years. A competent, knowledgeable veterinarian must be found.Monkey owners often attempt to return the pets to the breeders or sellers. Zoos usually will not accept monkeys that have been pets in private homes. Sanctuaries are filled to capacity with such animals in many cases. These creatures often end up in flea markets or carnivals. Sadly, monkeys do not do well adapting to new environments after reaching adulthood. These situations could be prevented if people decided to allow these wild animals to live where they belong: in the wild.Monkeys are physically and intellectually similar to humans. They even tend to be social and thrive in settings with other monkeys. But it is significant that they need monkey-to-monkey contact, which is usually lacking when they are domesticated. The fact is they really cannot be domesticated. They often appear to be so but then, seemingly out of nowhere, turn on the owner. They are merely being monkeys when that happens. And monkeys are wild animals.Nineteen states currently ban private possession of pet monkeys. Six states are in the process of passing legislation to ban possession. Seventeen states have no requirements for possession. The remaining states require permits, have bans for certain species, or have bans for certain species and require permits for others. Hawaii requires the owners to be bonded. (MORE)
In Recipes
Applesauce Banana Bread: A Healthier Choice
Weight loss regimens don't have to be so strict as to eliminate all baked goods. Choosing recipes that make use of healthier ingredients allows you to feel like you're splurgi…ng. Look for recipes that minimize the use of sugars and oils; two ingredients that add unwanted calories and unhealthy saturated fats to your diet. Utilize the natural sweetness of fruits whenever possible. For example, this easy, healthy banana bread recipe that uses applesauce in place of oil satisfies your sweet tooth without making you afraid to step on the scale.Grease a 9 x 5 inch bread loaf pan. Reduce oil use by lightly spraying the pan with an oil mister.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.Mash the bananas with a fork. With an electric mixer, beat together the bananas, applesauce, and sugar until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for another minute or two.Slowly sift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until all the dry ingredients are well incorporated and you have a thick, pancake-like batter. If the batter seems too runny, add another 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour. It's okay for a few lumps to remain in the batter.Pour the batter into the bread loaf pan. Smooth out the batter if the depth is uneven in the pan.Bake for 50 minutes before checking the readiness with a knife or a toothpick. If the knife or toothpick does not come out clean, keep baking for five minutes at a time. It may take up to an hour or more to finish baking depending on the moisture level in the applesauce and bananas and your location's elevation.Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 to 20 minutes in the pan on a baking rack. Remove the loaf from the pan. Slice and serve warm with natural peanut butter or honey and tea.Using applesauce in a healthy banana bread recipe reduces the need for large quantities of sugar, oils, and multiple eggs. The bananas and apples sweeten the bread, with only half the sugar of many common recipes, for a hint of dessert in a bread that can be eaten for breakfast. If you're concerned about weight loss, it's important to use baking recipes that are low in artificial sweeteners and unhealthy saturated fats. Eating healthier baked goods in moderation will keep you on track to improve your health and stay fit.If you're not ready to bake banana bread but have overly ripened bananas, you can freeze the fruit for later use. Prepare a bowl with cool water and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Peel the bananas and dip each one in the water before placing in an airtight container and freezing. Let them thaw before using them for baking. (MORE)
Are Monkeys a Good or Bad Idea for a Pet?
There has always been a fascination revolving around having a monkey as a pet. Many people have fantasies about owning an exotic mammal, and are often drawn to people on the s…treet that have a monkey on their shoulder as they are walking around town. These primates' actions can remind humans of themselves. These mammals eat, play, are very curious, and often seem like miniature human beings. They seem to have so much in common with people, but do they make good pets?If you want an animal that is the closest thing to a human, then a monkey might be for you. These primates eat similar to humans, are curious, and like to climb. Some even enjoy playing games like hide and seek. They can quickly become part of the family. There are various species of this mammal, such as the Capuchins and Guenons, which with the right care can make good primate companions. Capuchins live about 35 to 45 years. They are about 12 to 22 inches in length, including head and body, and their tale is about the same length. These primates weigh only about 4 to 15 pounds. A Guenon's life span is about 20 to 25 years. Including head and body, a Guenon's size is about 17.9 to 25.7 inches. The tail is roughly 19.5 to 28.1 inches in length. Guenons weigh anywhere between 7 to 10 pounds. Other species you may want to consider include Macaques, Marmosets, Squirrels, Spiders, and Tamarins. Because monkeys usually live longer than the average pet, it will probably be around for much of your lifetime. They can provide friendship and fulfill a need of companionship. Plus, if you can find an animal trainer used to working with primates, they can be trained. However, it's best to leave the training to a professional who is skilled, as monkeys don't always train well with someone who is not familiar with their habits.Monkeys are a lot of work, and that is no exaggeration. Monkeys require a lot of attention, and need constant companionship. If you can be home for a majority of the time, that's great. If not, you'll need to purchase a companion for your pet. Also it's hard to find others who will pet sit if you need to go away. Owning a monkey is an expensive endeavor. If you plan to own one, you need to be able to dedicate at least $3 a day to feeding. Their diet consists of meat, nuts, eggs, commercial food, vegetables, and more. Plus you'll probably want a cage, and a large one at that; a bird cage won't suffice. It needs to be big enough to allow your pet room to play and go about regular activities. If you don't buy a cage, you must keep constant vigilance; monkeys are capable of getting into almost anything, including a locked refrigerator. It's usually difficult to find proper care for exotic pets, as many vets don't treat them. You will probably need to do some research to find a care provider who takes care of exotic animals. Don't wait until an emergency happens or you may not find a provider in time. Monkeys can bite, and some have been known to be quite aggressive. Unfortunately, if yours bites someone it can be taken from you. Monkeys are primates, and even if yours is small with small teeth, it still hurts.Owning a monkey can be a fulfilling experience; they thrive on companionship and like to play. Some monkeys can even learn tricks, if trained by a professional. However, owning a monkey can be a daunting task that requires a responsible person willing to make sacrifices. It can be an expensive but rewarding experience.It's usually difficult to find proper care for exotic pets, as many vets don't treat them. You will probably need to do some research to find a good care provider. Don't wait until an emergency happens or you may not find a provider in time. (MORE)
In Breakfast
Dairy Free Vegan Banana Pancakes
Bananas are a fruit both sweet and nutritious. They give your body the potassium it needs and promote strong bone health as well. Incorporating this fruit into soft and fluffy… pancakes make your favorite breakfast food tastes even better. If you're looking for a recipe that's both dairy-free and vegan, try this banana pancakes recipe below. Follow these easy steps and enjoy a stack of flapjacks that won't make you miss dairy.Gather your ingredients and kitchen utensils. You'll need a large mixing bowl, a small bowl, a spoon, a non-stick pan, a spatula, and cooking spray.In the large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and baking powder until blended. Set mixture aside for later.In the small bowl, mix the mashed banana and soy milk. Mix well until the lumps are minimal and the consistency is mostly smooth.Now add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Mix all ingredients together until creamy.If you're using chopped nuts of any kind, fold them into the pancake mixture so they're evenly dispersed in the batter.Turn one burner on your stove to medium high heat.Spray the non-stick pan with cooking spray and place the pan on the heated stovetop burner.Pour 1/4 of the batter in the pan. Use less batter if you prefer smaller pancakes. For kids, consider using large metal cookie cutters to create pancakes in fun shapes.When the edges turn golden and you notice bubbles, flip the pancakes over with your spatula.Continue cooking the pancakes until they are done, about two to three minutes more.Maintaining a dairy-free and vegan diet can be a challenge. This healthy banana pancake recipe makes it easier for those lactose-intolerant to enjoy pancakes. With only a handful of ingredients and less than an hour of your time, you can create a stack of pancakes that are good for you and taste good too. Just follow the simple steps above and remember to flip the pancake halfway through cooking to avoid burning. You won't even be able to tell they don't include dairy products. If you double the recipe, store the extra pancakes in the refrigerator and put in the toaster when you'd like a snack.Consider other mix-ins such as dairy-free chocolate chips, carob chips, or mixed berries. Then, add sliced banana as a garnish or top with dairy-free whipped topping. Keep experimenting until you've created the perfect pancake topping combination. (MORE)
Improved Answer
What do monkeys eat besides bananas?
They eat fleas, leaves, ticks, many insects, or whatever they can find on a monkeys back, monkeys are primarily omnivores, but some are herbivores, or carnivores like the babo…on. They eat fruits and berries but they sure do love bananas. (MORE)
Answered
How do monkeys peel bananas?
From what I know, most monkeys peel the banana from the opposite end that we do, which would be the thin bump at the bottom of the banana.
Answered
In Recipes
How do you make the Banana monkey drink?
There are 2 ways that i have found that you can make a Banana Monkey; 1 uses Vodka while the other uses Rum. Here is how to make this particular drink. Banana Monkey: 1/2 …oz Rum 1/2 oz Coffee Liqueur 3 oz Pina Colada Mix 1/2 Banana Ice (as much as desired) Blend all of the ingredients together, add a paper umbrella and a straw, and enjoy! OR 1 oz Vodka 1 oz Khalua 8 oz of Nonalcoholic Pina Colada Mix 1/3 Banana Ice (as much as desired) Blend and Enjoy! Hope this helps. My feeling would be to uses as much Banana as you prefer. Or to make the drink stronger, without using a whole Banana, use Banana Liqueur. Be the judge on how much alcohol you add, just remember.... DRINK RESPONSIBLY...DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!! (MORE)
