B.B.C. “Brain- Washing” Test On Psychologist

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28262, 27 April 1957, Page 11

B.B.C. “Brain- Washin g” Test On Psychologist

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, April 25. An Australian psychologist tonight began a 25-hour “brainwashing” experiment on the 8.8. C. television service. The man, 28-year-old Russell Willett, is taking part in a test to determine whether close confinement makes a prisoner more amenable to suggestion. The experiment began with Mr Willett being found ‘‘not amenable” to suggestions put to him. such as dropping his head forward. Then he was placed in a soundproof room with a window through which the television cameras could record his movements.

In this room, Mr Willett will spend 25 hours unable to hear or touch anything and wearing a visor restricting his vision to almost nothing. ' The psychologist, who has not taken part in such a test before, said that he intended to try to imagine he was in captivity and would think of personal problems, his hobbies, and soi.on.

During the programme tonight, the television cameras showed h’im sitting quietly, moving one arm and later, sitting down swinging one leg.

He will stay in his soundproof box until 7.30 p.m. tomorrow. Then he will be released and the tests will be repeated to see what the effect confinement has had. Meals will’ be taken to him at irregular intervals, to disturb his sense of time, according to the “Daily Mail.” If during the 25-hour period he feels unable to carry on, he can call for release. But there will be no ordinary conversation with the watching 8.8. C. officials. When he comes out, doctors and scientists will examine him to see whether his captivity has made him more ready to obey their orders. The experiment is similar to tests carried out at McGill University in Montreal, and at the National Institute of Health in Washington. The “Daily Mirror” said that for his pains he would be paid £2s— an hour.