The New Stanford Prison Experiment review
This rehash of the notorious study in which volunteers role-play as prisoners and guards pretends to be science. It isn’t – it’s patronising reality television
TL;DR
- The New Stanford Prison Experiment is a rehash of the 1971 Stanford prison experiment, presented as reality television rather than science.
- Participants are aware they are on TV, undermining the study's scientific validity, a criticism also leveled at previous versions.
- The show uses typical reality TV tropes, including interviews with participants and analysis by 'experts,' to create drama.
- Internal conflicts arise from participants' differing ideas for their 'journeys' and how the story should develop, not from genuine power dynamics.
- The 'experts' in the show appear to believe the experiment is real, analyzing hierarchies and power struggles.
- Some participants realize the lack of stakes and simply leave the show.