James Ritchie

Professor James (Jim) Ritchie was a revered Psychologist and academic who founded the University of Waikato's department of psychology in 1964 and worked profusely with his wife Jane who was also a psychologist. In 1993, he was made an emeritus professor which at the time was only achieved by 19 other academics. Ritchie and his wife were child-rearing experts who strongly made the assertion that the right of parents to physically punish their children should no longer be legal. In their book Spare the rod (1981) they explained that physical punishment caused significant harm and was ineffective. They offered alternative ways to teach children such as positive affirmation for good behaviour, and time out or discussions for bad behaviour, which was found to be more effective.

Dr Jim and Dr Jane Ritchie presented 21 boxes of research papers to the University of Waikato Library.