Background
Mason, William Alvin was born on March 28, 1926 in Mountain View, California, United States. Son of Alvin Frank and Ruth Sabina (Erwin) Mason.
educator psychologist researcher
Mason, William Alvin was born on March 28, 1926 in Mountain View, California, United States. Son of Alvin Frank and Ruth Sabina (Erwin) Mason.
Bachelor, Stanford University, 1950. Master of Science, Stanford University, 1952. Doctor of Philosophy, Stanford University, 1954.
Assistant professor, University of Wisconsin -Madison, 1954-1959; research associate, Yerkes laboratories Primate Biology, Orange Park, Florida, 1959-1963; head department behavioral science, Delta Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, Louisiana, 1963-1971; professor psychology, research psychologist, University of California, Davis, since 1971; leader behavioral biology unit California Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, 1972-1996. Board directors Jane Goodall Institute, 1978-1992, Karisoke Research Center, 1980-1986.
With United States Marine Corps, 1944-1946. Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Psychological Association (president division 6 1982, distinguished science contribution award 1995), American Psychological Society, Animal Behavior Society. Member International Primatological Society (president 1976-1980, 81-84), American Society Primatologists (president 1988-1990, distinguished primatologist award), International Society Development Psychobiology (president 1971-1972, Best Paper of Year award 1976), Sigma Xi.
Married Virginia Joan Carmichael, June 27, 1948. Children: Todd, Paula, Nicole, Hunter.