Netflix Turns Infamous Psychological Experiment Into Reality TV

Netflix

Even if you're not really into psychology or social studies, chances are you've heard of the Stanford Prison Experiment. Run by psychologist Philip Zimbardo in 1971, the experiment put college students in a mock prison, with some randomly assigned as guards and others as prisoners. The idea was to see how people would behave when given power or placed in a powerless position within a hierarchical system over two weeks.

Things quickly got out of hand, though, and the treatment of the prisoners became so concerning that Zimbardo ended the experiment after just six days. Since then, the Stanford Prison Experiment has become a big part of popular culture and is often cited as an example of how social roles can affect behavior. But the experiment has also been heavily criticized, with researchers questioning how fair and unbiased it really was.

Well, it looks like we're getting another try at the experiment with Netflix's new unscripted series, The New Stanford Prison Experiment, as reported by Variety:

"Thirty willing participants enter a real prison and are randomly assigned as guards or prisoners. Thrust into a system of power, hierarchy, and control, they'll discover whether ordinary people inevitably conform to the roles they're given – or whether empathy, morality, and individuality can withstand the forces pushing them in the opposite direction.

As the pressure builds and the balance of power begins to shift, the central question feels more urgent than ever: Does power corrupt?"

The New Stanford Prison Experiment premieres on October 21, and the first season has six 45-minute episodes. Here's what Jane Lipsitz, one of the show's executive producers, had to say about the project:

"The Stanford Prison Experiment has always fascinated me. Despite its serious ethical flaws, it asked a fundamental question that feels even more relevant today: how does power affect ethical choices? Getting the opportunity to reimagine this social experiment was one of the most intense, exhilarating – and definitely nail-biting – experiences we've ever had. Netflix has always been an incredible supporter of ambitious projects that take risks, push boundaries, and tell challenging stories, so we were incredibly grateful to have them as our partners on this one."