| Level | Item |
| Ref No | AUD/002/OHP 33 |
| Thumbnail | 
|
| Title | Conochie, Douglas - Recording |
| Site | Douglas Conochie's sitting room, Aberdeen |
| Date | 2 July 2008 |
| Extent | 1-Audio Cassette |
| Description | Audio cassette sound recording of an interview with Douglas Alexander Ferguson Conochie (1928-2009), FBPsS, CPsychol, Educational Psychologist for the British Psychological Society's Oral History project.
The interview was conducted by Helen Ross in July 2008.
The following summary is by way of introduction to the full recording held at the British Psychological Society's History of Psychology Centre, London.
Performers:
Douglas Conochie (DC)
Helen Ross (HR)
Topics:
Side A
HR begins the interview by asking DC what made him take up psychology
DC talks of his early career in teaching, his interest in child development, his Aberdeen University, M.Ed. course under John Nisbett, Rex and Margaret Knight, his appointment as educational psychologist for Ayrshire Child Guidance Service, his time at Ayrshire under the direction of Leslie Duncan.
DC mentions Rex Knight's book and mathematical ability tests before moving on to speak of his appointment and time as educational psychologist for Cambridgeshire and City of Cambridge, Ron Kaye Cambridge County Inspector, professional issues with medical officers, his move to Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire as principal educational psychologist, the development of special services, psychiatric opinion in Cambridge, Oliver Zangwill's views on Dyslexia, developing approaches to learning, Donald Boyle's book on teaching and the look and say approach to reading versus phonics.
DC speaks of his move to Grampian region as educational psychologist, his proposal to set up a residential school for maladjusted children, the development of special needs, Warnock Report recommendations and implementation and the development of special education needs.
DC talks of his links to professional groups including the BPS, his involvement with BPS Professional Affairs Board and BPS DECP, setting up of the Rayden (?) Centre with Eric McKay as Director, various BPS boards and the development of training, 1975 AGM, Cairine Petrie, his time as BPS DECP Chair, setting up of Scottish DECP, SDECP constitution, development of Scottish training courses in, Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, his views on the child development course in Stirling and Peter McKewan, his involvement with the development of 2-year taring corses (for Educational Psychologist) at Aberdeen, Dundee and Strathclyde, Alistair Milne, staffing ration of psychologists to children, and the Summerfield Report.
Side A ends c 47 mins
Side B
Topics:
DC talks of the availability of education psychology courses in Scotland compared with England, the influence of the Summerfield Report in England, scottish courses run by Isobel McLean, Kathy McAllan (?), Kathy MacDonald and his views on play therapy.
HR asks DC to talk of influential people/organisations in his career
DC speaks of Tom Kyle Principal Psychologist in Lanarkshire, the Association of Scottish Principal Psychologists, his respect for May Davidson [former President BPS], Ronnie Glenny (?) and Ian Lawrett (?)
DC talks of the Social Work Scotland Act and his proposal for regulation change concerning child guidance service.
DC speaks of family, his children, research then in response to various questions by HR talks of his enjoyment at having contact with people prepared to help children, setting up a maladjusted school for children (with Gordon Reid), the negative attitudes of medical officers and certain Headteachers and his wish for future education psychologists to maintain links with the education service.
HR asks DC what has been his main contribution
DC responds with the development of the training of educational psychologists
DC speaks of health issues after retirement and his work with the National Advisory Committee on Stroke as the patient representative before finishing the interview with a couple of potential interviewees for the project.
Side B ends
c 35 mins
Total Running Time: c 82mins
Photograph by Helen Ross.
Obituary: http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2009/04/24/obituary-great-sadness-at-death-of-douglas-conochie
Summary by Mike Maskill, BPS Archivist. |
| RunTime | On one D90 cassette, running time c 82 minutes |
| Format | Cassette Tapes and text |
| Notes | The History of Psychology Centre is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our users. Be aware that our catalogue contains historic terminology relating to mental health which could be considered offensive. The terminology exists within the original record and has been retained to inform users on viewpoints at the time. It in no way reflects the attitudes of the cataloguers or the British Psychological Society. |
| Photograph taken by Helen Ross 02/07/2008 |
| Language | English |
| AccessConditions | Authorised Users. View by Appointment |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| Location | 13: BPS History of Psychology Centre, London |
| Term | Child psychology |
| Child development |
| Educational psychology |
| Ability |
| Special education |
| Dyslexia |
| AdminHistory | Date of Birth: 24/09/1928
Died: April 2009
Place of Birth: Lerwick, Shetland
University and Professional Training:
Aberdeen University, BSc (ord) 1949: MA 1951: Dip.Ed.1952
Aberdeen College of Education, Teacher Training Certificate 1951-1952
Aberdeen University, M.Ed.(Hons), 1956-1958
Professional career:
National Service, Royal Air Force, Education Corps, Pilot Officer, 1952-1954
Alford Academy, Aberdeenshire, Teaching 1954-1955
Bankhead Academy, Aberdeenshire, Teaching 1955-1958
Assistant Educational Psychologist, Ayrshire Child Guidance Service, 1958-1961
Cambridgeshire and City of Cambridge, Sole Educational Psychologist, 1961-1965
Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire, Principal Educational Psychologist, 1965-1975
Grampian Region, Depute Regional Educational Psychologist, 1975-1985
Grampian Region, Regional Educational Psychologist, 1985-1992
Involvement with BPS and/or other societies and organisations:
Fellow BPS, 1979
Chartered BPS Psychologist, 1988
Chair of the BPS Scottish Division of Educational and Child Psychology (SDECP), 1976-1978
Chair Training Committee of the BPS Scottish Division of Educational and Child Psychology (SDECP), 1976-1981
Member of the BPS Professional Affairs Board, 1973
Member of the BPS Fellowship Committee (nd)
Member of the BPS Public Affairs Board (PAB), 1973
Representative of the BPS Public Affairs Board (PAB), on the BPS Scientific Affairs Board (SAB) for 1 year (nd)
Member of various BPS Working Parties and the Executive of the Scottish Branch (nd)
Member of the Association of Scottish Principal Psychologists 1996-1992
Chair of the Association of Scottish Principal Psychologists, 1973-1975
Member of the Educational Institute of Scotland, 1959-1961, and 1965-1991
Council Representative (Psychologists) of the Educational Institute of Scotland, 1972-1975
Member of NAIEO, 1961-1965 |
| Copyright | Subject to the condition of the original, copies may be supplied for private research use only on receipt of a signed undertaking to comply with current copyright legislation. Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Head of the History of Psychology Centre and Archives and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. Where possible, assistance will be given in identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material |
| Rules | Description compiled in line with the following: ISAD (G) General International Standard Archival Description MAD3 Third Edition 2000 |
| ArchNote | Compiled by Mike Maskill BPS Archivist for the History of Psychology Centre. |