Pseudo-scientific study in which a researcher sent healthy patients to loony bins where they feigned the symptoms of schizophrenia to gain admission. Upon admission they displayed no more fake symptoms, but were not allowed to be freed until they admitted they were mad.
Have you ever read Joseph Heller's Catch 22, Pink?
There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a
concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and
immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr
was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon
as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more
missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't,
but if he were sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy
and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to.
Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this
clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle. (p. 56, ch. 5)