To think Derren Brown's gone too far this time?

[Destinysdaughter]

I don't know if anyone's just watched this but it was billed as an
' experiment in social compliance', where an adult is over time put in a situation where they feel they have no choice but to push a person off a building to save themselves from going to prison. It was very cleverly set up and thankfully the person they filmed didn't do it. But... Then they showed that they had done the exact same experiment with 3 other people who had done it! I was really shocked and think he's really gone too far, messing with people's heads and not considering the consequences for those individuals involved and traumatising them. Ok it may have been trying to show us not to comply but it's left a nasty taste in my mouth! Would love to know what other people think as it's left me a bit

This sounds similar to the famous psychology experiment, the Milgram Experiment: www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html

Michael Douglas movie is "The Game". Good watch!

it was shocking to watch as I thought it was going to be one of his hypnotism things.....

However, I do believe they rigorously screen the 'contestants' and provide thorough aftercare if required.

Fascinating insight into the human psyche!

I've not seen it but it doesn't sound extreme when you consider the other stuff he's done, shooting Stephen Fry, the car crash one as someone mentioned (which was probably the worse).

I really like him, saw him in theatre last month. The people on the show have applied to be on it and I imagine they do a lot of investigating to make sure they can mentally handle whatever is going to be thrown at them, and he can influence people enough so that they aren't traumatized, I reckon.

I was shocked throughout, too. Especially at the people who did chuck the poor bloke off the building. UNTIL the 'talk to cameras at the end' bit - then they all looked like actors.

I'm not sure, I love DB but I don't think anything he does is ever believable. That's the point

As an aside, I shared a few tweets/DMs with the 'star' of Apocalypse - Steve whateveritwas and he swore blind it was real. There was loads of questions about that at the time but it was much more believable (and gripping) than this was

Thank god somebody's mentioned the Milgram experiment. Lots and lots of similar experiments have been done in the interim with similarly depressing outcomes. Some of the projects had to be stopped early because the subjects were getting so vicious.

Derren Brown was trying to make the same point, with particular reference to what's happening in our country politically. If people keep on refusing to believe it can happen, we are going to hell in a handbasket :(

Re. Milgram's experiment, I just finished a module in psychology and seem to recall my textbook suggesting that such experiments can't get past the ethics people these days (I'd have to check again, and obviously the experiments aren't identical, but...). I therefore highly doubt that any of it was really real. Really REALLY real. Regardless of what Joe Bloggs might be contractually obliged to say about it to friends and acquaintances.

I watched the shooting one and thought it was dangerous and irresponsible and in poor taste for entertainment. Not only with regard to the participants that have signed up for the show but bystanders. The audience in that didn't know what was going to happen what if someone had suffered a heart attack or stroke as a result of such a shocking event? Even 'just' traumatised?

I would be fairly sure that the 3 people who did do it were also actors, and didn't really do it.

Whilst I haven't watched it yet, it sounds like some others, with the audience choosing the answers,( didn't know the participation would lead to an outcome), apocalypse, the flight simulator one, or even the placebo effect one.

They may have been actors but they could not have been I mean he would have chose the participants to see how compliant they would have been beforehand when presumably auditioning for a different show, and to see if they would jump by using other measures, not only that but ( like I said I haven't seen it yet) there could have been safety features like a harness on the person, a net of some kind.

Also whilst it may not get passed an ethics committee it's worth noting he's not doing it for a true psychological test, academic or otherwise its for TV so less stringent on the actual scientific theory and application of the show

I wouldn't believe what the participants tell you, tbh. People who take part in these shows have to sign something before their bit is aired on TV - you can't just film Joe Public like that and air it on prime-time TV without getting their consent

The contracts they'll sign before these shows are aired must include a clause telling them what they have to say to friends/family/the press. I would imagine if they didn't follow this "script" there'd be a bit of a backlash from producers etc.

Derren Brown is all about mind-tricks, and I think it's about tricking the VIEWER as opposed to the participants, tbh.

Is there an element of fear surrounding this programme? That, if it's 'real' or as Derren says it is, then a large number of us could actually be manipulated into doing horrific things comparatively easily.
that's not a comfortable thought, so it's perhaps easier to dismiss the programme outright.

I recommend reading up on the Milgram Experiment

I wonder whether the OP is actually an actor recruited to promote the programme...

It was a mock up of the Milgram Experiment.

In the show everyone had informed consent even though that wasn't remotely implied. In the actual experiment people believed they were slowly killing others.

Milgram is the reason we have ethics and regulations.

" wonder whether the OP is actually an actor recruited to promote the programme... "

No I'm not! Just wanted to see what other pp thought about it as I was a bit gobsmacked by the ending!

My dh was involved with the show. They were not actors. It was interesting but I don't agree with putting these people through that. It must have been very traumatic.

They may not have been literally actors acting, but surely all the people involved in any meaningful knew they were going to be on DB's show at some point?

I don't understand it completely. You apply or are asked to be involved in one of his shows. You get tested and are told you are (or not? perhaps that's the trick?) suitable. Days, weeks, months later something odd starts happening. Surely you just think to yourself - oh here we go. Great! I'm being Derren Brown'd

No they'd applied for his show but told they'd been turned down so they didn't know they were being filmed or that this was a set up.

Genuinely can't believe people think it's real.

As others have said, Milgram style studies don't get ethics approval these days. So it is highly unlikely that a telly programme would get the go ahead. Imagine what every one of the participants could sue for. Derren Brown's backers simply don't have deep enough pockets.

It is much more likely that some participants are members of the public who get through to the almost last moment, the others are actors, who go through the whole process as though they too are simple participants. Those 'others' may also be volunteers who are recruited onto 'the team' part way through.

Conformity experiments have used such 'confederates' for decades. Brown didn't invent the idea.

I watched it and found it interesting, if a bit disturbing how easily people become compliant. It was fascinating watching the emotions crossing the face of the main guy as he wrestled with his conscience throughout the programme. And I cheered for him at then; if he'd been my husband, partner or son I'd have felt very proud of him.

Sorry 'then' should have read 'the end'

We are very proud of him. Can't wait to see him and hear more details as he didn't tell us anything before last night!

I saw some of this but couldn't bring myself to watch it all - I got as far as when they wheeled the wooden trunk out and the poor guy thought the body was in it and I couldn't take any more.

I just felt for him and could only imagine what he was going through. I did say to DP what happens if he has a heart attack or some other health issue triggered by the stress of going through that, imagining it's real.

Also, can I ask if anyone else heard any really high pitched noises during the earlier part of the show? DD and I heard them and DP heard one - we wondered if it was there for a reason. Can Derren Brown play tricks with viewers minds by transmitting certain sounds or is that a bit too woo ?

Hermione - the sign stuff when the apply. Then are told they didn't get through. Then obviously sign stuff before its shown on TV to agree to that being shown. He does other things that don't get shown as the participant doesn't want it aired on TV.