Fifty years have passed, but the echoes of the Stanford Prison Experiment still reverberate. National Geographic’s new docuseries, “The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking the Truth,” attempts to dissect this infamous study, a social psychology experiment conducted at Stanford University in 1971. The first episode, “The Hallway,” the first of three airing Wednesday night, sets the stage for a revisiting of the experiment’s unsettling findings.
For those unfamiliar, the Stanford Prison Experiment, led by psychologist Philip Zimbardo, randomly assigned college students to roles of “prisoners” and “guards” in a simulated prison environment. The study was abruptly halted after six days due to the guards’ escalating abuse of power and the prisoners’ subsequent psychological distress. The experiment became a chilling illustration of how situational forces can warp behavior.
Now, “The Hallway” offers what it claims to be previously unheard testimonials from participants, revisiting key moments and attempting closure. While time may have softened raw emotions, the experiment’s core ethical dilemmas remain relevant today. Will the series offer groundbreaking revelations or primarily retread familiar territory?
The promise of new participant accounts suggests potential for deeper understanding of the lasting psychological impact. For viewers interested in social psychology or the complexities of human behavior, “The Hallway” provides an opportunity for reflection and discussion.
Tune in to National Geographic on Wednesday, November 13 at 8:00 PM for the premiere of “The Hallway.” Episodes 2 and 3 air immediately after this one.
