Netflix Sparks Outrage with Stanford Prison Experiment Reality Show

Netflix is facing widespread criticism for its upcoming reality series, "The New Stanford Prison Experiment," which is set to premiere on October 21. The show aims to recreate the infamous 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, where participants were randomly assigned roles as guards or prisoners in a mock prison.

Participants will be thrust into a system of power, hierarchy, and control to explore whether individuals conform to assigned roles or if empathy and individuality can prevail. The series description poses the question: "Does power corrupt?"

The announcement has ignited backlash online, with many users pointing to the original experiment's problematic conclusion. Conducted by psychologist Professor Philip Zimbardo, the 1971 study, held in a mock prison within Stanford's Psychology Department, was intended to observe group dynamics in the absence of malevolent authority. However, the experiment was terminated after only six days due to the extreme abuse inflicted by guards on prisoners and the severe emotional distress experienced by the latter.

Critics have voiced their dismay on social media platforms like X, formerly Twitter. One user called it "one of the most notorious and unethical social experiments ever, but as reality TV." Another commented, "We already know the results of this are bad/harmful/dangerous." Many have highlighted the experiment's documented history of "horrific practice, social duress and unsafe living conditions," questioning its legality and suitability for entertainment.

"This same experiment was ended early last time because 'guards' became increasingly abusive and 'prisoners' were suffering intense emotional distress," read another post. "It was deemed a highly unethical experiment. But sure, let’s make the same terrible mistakes again, for entertainment purposes."

Calls for Netflix to cancel the show have circulated, though some users have expressed curiosity about the series. Attempts to replicate the Stanford Prison Experiment over the years have yielded varied results, with some scientists questioning the validity of the original study.

Doug Korpi, a participant in the 1971 experiment, recounted in a 2024 docuseries that he felt compelled to fake a mental breakdown to be released. Known as Prisoner #8612, Korpi claimed that he resorted to feigning "crazy" behavior after Professor Zimbardo allegedly refused his requests to leave, prioritizing the pursuit of historical significance for the study. Korpi described being beaten by guards, stripped naked, and chained to another inmate before his desperate act.

Speaking about his attempt to exit, Korpi recalled trying to use a stomach ache as a reason to leave, but Zimbardo reportedly told him, "Doug, you can't leave, history is being made." Feeling trapped, Korpi stated he realized he "could not leave the experiment" and was placed in solitary confinement. It was then he decided to "act like I was crazy" to get out, describing it as "a lot of work."

In 2018, Zimbardo disputed claims that participants faked psychological distress, suggesting instead that Korpi was "ashamed" of his breakdown and calling him "the least reliable source of any information about the study."