Alfonso Bernal Del Riesgo

Alfonso Bernal del Riesgo (January 23, 1902 – January 4, 1975, Havana, Cuba) was a Cuban psychologist, known for his contribution to the origin and development of psychology as science and profession. He was a psychologist, lawyer, professor, writer, and researcher.
Bernal del Riesgo had a long and successful career at the University of Havana. Through his writings he developed the notion of that defined the study of the Cuban psychological identity. The writings of Enrique José Varona and Alfredo Aguayo influenced his early work.

Biography

Alfonso Bernal del Riesgo was born in 1902 in a complicated birth where his twin brother died. His mother died a few days later. Alfonso was raised by his father and other family members. He was the son of Alfonso Bernal y Tovar and Caridad del Riesgo y Calero. His father was Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Havana.

Bernal del Riesgo's secondary studies were conducted at Belén College. He completed a Bachelor of Science and Arts at the Institute of Secondary Education of Havana in 1919. He obtained a doctorate on Civil Law in 1923 and a second doctorate on Philosophy and Arts in 1928, both at the University of Havana. Alfonso Bernal del Riesgo had a distinguished career at the university. He organized, and was a prominent speaker at, the First Revolutionary Student Congress in 1923. He also led the student group , responsible for promoting the University Reform of 1924. He was a comrade of Julio Antonio Mella and with him participated in the founding of the Communist Party of Cuba in 1925. Bernal del Riesgo and Mella also founded the centers of secondary education where both were teachers. His political activism as a lawyer and educator led him to exile in Vienna (1931-1933), where he studied psychology. Upon his return to Cuba, he worked as a professor and as a psychologist

He wrote a number of texts in the field of psychology. His scholarly contributions and published writings were recognized by the national and international scientific community. Some of his articles and books are available on the web

The last years of his life were devoted to research at the Center of Scientific Information of the University of Havana. He died at the age 73.

Legacy

His scientific productivity reflects the development of his political, social, and scientific thought.
Among his major contributions are:
* The educational reforms and the restructuring of the University of Havana.
* Establishing a psychology curriculum distinct from other disciplines and resulting in the establishing of the School of Psychology ().
* Linking advanced psychological theories, research, and practice to Cuban cultural roots and contexts.
* Advanced the theory and practice of psychotherapy and was an early proponent for integrative psychotherapy approaches.

Bernal del Riesgo actively participated in processes that led to the University Reform. Among the achievements of this Reform was the institutionalization of training on psychology in Cuba. His interest in education for the people is evidenced by his sustained participation throughout his life in the mass media, explaining psychological phenomena in lay terms, and offering guidance and education to parents, as well as in adult education.

Chronology

Major publications

* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1923). ''Los principios, la táctica y los fines de la revolución universitaria''. he principles, tactics, and goals of the university revolution En O. Cabrera & C. Almodóbar (Eds.), Las luchas estudiantiles universitarias The university student struggles(pp. 95–109). La Habana: Editorial Ciencias Sociales.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1935). La Psicología del Pensamiento de C. Buhler. he psychology of thought of C. Buhler ''Revista Bimensual Cubana'', 35(1), 5-24.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1935). Un Examen de los Exámenes. ''Revista Bimenstral Cubana'', ''36''(1 & 2), 5-26.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1936). ''Iniciación de la psicología''. ntroduction to psychology La Habana: F. Sabini.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1937). ''La Sociología de Agramonte''. he sociology of Agramonte Universidad Habana., 5(14), 154–155.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1941). ''El instituto de prácticas y ensayos''. he institute of practice and essays Crítica y reforma universitarias. La Habana: Imprenta de la Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1944). ''Cívica Superior''. igher civics Cuba: Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1944). ''Cuestiones Futuras de la Enseñanza Cubana''. uture questions of Cuban education La Habana: Editorial Selecta.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1946). ''Psicología humana''. uman psychology Habana: Imprenta de la Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1946). ''Psicología humana; curso panorámico''. uman psychology: a panoramic course Habana: Imprenta De La Universidad de La Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A., & Fernández, E. (1949). ''The MMPI in Cuba''. Habana: Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1951). ''Informe que eleva la Oficina de Psicometría y Orientación Vocacional al Señor Ministro de Educación''. eport from the Office of Psichometry and Vocational Orientation to the Minister of Education La Habana: Ministerio de Educación.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1955). 50 años de Psicología en Cuba. 0 years of psychology in Cuba ''Revista Cubana de Psicología'', ''1''(1), 5–10.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1959). Informe sobre la investigación de la clientela dental. eport of research on dental clients ''Revista Estomatológica de la Habana'' (''5-6''), 13–56.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A., Colon, A., Fernández, E., Mena, A., Torres, A., & Torres, E. (1959). ''Traducción del Inventario Multifacético de la Personalidad''. ranslation of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory New York: Psychological Corporation.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1959). ''Psicología y enfermedad''. sychology and illness Habana: Imprenta de la Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1959). ''Realidad de la reforma o reforma de la realidad.'' eality of the reform or reform of the reality La Nueva Revista Cubana, 1(3), 14.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1960). ''Apuntes de Psicología General 2''. otes on general psychology 2 Habana: Imprenta de la Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1960). ''Apuntes Psicología General 1''. otes on general psychology 1 La Habana: Imprenta de la Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1960). ''Errores en la crianza de los niños''. rrors in child rearing México, MX: Ediciones El Caballito.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1962). ''Informe (de la investigación inconclusa) del brote asmático''. eport (of the incompleted study) on the asthmatic attack Habana: Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1963). ''Orientación, contenido y funciones de la psicología en Cuba''. rientation, content and functions of psychology in Cuba (Vol. 15). Habana: Comisión superior de docencia de la Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (published as Nalber Gosier). (1963). ''¿Quinta rueda o qué? Diálogo sobre la psicología''. ¿Fifth wheel or what? Dialogue on psychology (pp. 8). Habana: Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1965). ''Operatorio de Psicología: La maravillosa historia de la vida''. perative Psychology: The wonderful story of life Habana: Universidad de la Habana.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1967). ''Apuntes de Psicología y Enfermedad''. sychology Notes and Disease
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1967). ''Cuba''. In IAUPL (Ed.), The recruitment and training of university teachers. Ghent, Belgium: International Association of University Professor and Lecturers.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1969). ''Modus Operandi Completo en el Pilotaje'' omplete Modus Operandi for pilot studies.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1970). ''Un mal social y su tratamiento''. social illness and its treatment Habana: Libro inédito.
* Bernal del Riesgo, A. (1971). ''Primer vistazo a la Psicología aplicada al usuario''. first view at psychology applied to the user Cuadernos de Información Científica. Serie 1. Ciencia y Tecnología de la Información. No. 4. Habana: Universidad de la Habana.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bernal del Riesgo, Alfonso
1902 births
1975 deaths
Popular Socialist Party (Cuba) politicians
Cuban psychologists
20th-century psychologists
Academic staff of University of Havana

Universidad Popular José Marti