David Palmer received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and English from the University of Massachusetts in 1969, a Master of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts in 1983, and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts in 1988. His dissertation studied blocking of conditioned reinforcement.

Dr. Palmer has made numerous contributions to the field of behavior analysis, particularly in theoretical analyses. Dr. Palmer has authored or co-authored 13 journal articles, and 5 book chapters, and is co-author of Learning and Complex Behavior. He has also presented his work at national and international conferences.

Dr. Palmer has been a lecturer at Smith’s College since 1988. He was on the editorial boards for The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, The Behavior Analyst, and Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior as well as guest reviewer for The Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, and American Psychologist.