Psychology – AS Level core studies | e-Consult

Core studies are pivotal because they:

• Illustrate fundamental psychological principles: Milgram demonstrated the power of authority on obedience, while Zimbardo revealed how situational factors can shape behaviour, providing concrete evidence of concepts that were previously theoretical.
• Inform the development of ethical standards: The controversies surrounding these experiments highlighted the need for participant protection, directly leading to the formulation of modern ethical guidelines such as informed consent and the right to withdraw.
• Guide future research design: By exposing methodological strengths and weaknesses, these studies serve as templates for constructing robust experiments that balance scientific inquiry with ethical responsibility.