David W. Carroll received a B. A. in psychology and philosophy from the University of California at Davis (1972) and an M.A. (1973) and Ph.D. (1976) in experimental and developmental psychology from Michigan State University.

He has taught at the University of Wisconsin-Superior since 1976. He is currently is professor of psychology and previously served as chair of the psychology program. Dr. Carroll teaches courses in introductory psychology, psychology of language, cognitive psychology, and child development, and conducts research on discourse comprehension, critical thinking, and the teaching of psychology. He is a member of the Society for Text and Discourse, the Division of Experimental Psychology, the American Psychological Society, the Society for General Psychology, and the Society for Teaching of Psychology.