PSY 230 V05
Dead Poets Society Paper
Character: Todd Anderson
Biological Understanding:
● Height: 5’10”
● Weight: Around 145
● Hair color: Dirty blonde/brown
● Eye color: Blue-gray
● Biological problems: Socially awkward and somewhat anxious especially in front of
groups or crowds
● Known genetics: His brother was very intelligent, intelligent enough to go to an Ivy
League school. It makes sense for Todd to have a high intelligence as well.
● Gross motor skills: Jumps and runs on the beds after Neal but does not have great gross
motor skills. His shyness seems to keep him from participating in more athletic activities.
● Fine motor skills: Writes a poem and takes notes
● Biological advances: Taller than some in his group
● Hormones and reactions: Todd seems to have normal hormone levels as he lets out
some anger and frustration when Mr. Keating continuously pushes him to recite a poem
in front of the class, but it starts to decrease as he becomes comfortable with the core
group. He does not show much interest in girls. Very emotional, cries about Perry’s
death, when he is being interrogated by Nolan, and at the end of the movie when standing
on his desk.
Psychological Understanding:
● Emotions and feelings: Reserved and quiet, fearful of expressing himself initially
● Stress level: Fairly high
● Any psychological disorders: Anxiety and may have some PTSD after the death of
Perry since they were close.
● Intelligence level: High compared to his peers; has a fluid intelligence level and it is
evident with his poetry writing and his family smarts. He works hard in his classes and
takes time to sit and work through his homework thoroughly. His poetry impressed Mr.
Keating.
● Attention: He is somewhat attentive and takes it all in but can be easily distracted
● Concentration: Because of his lack of confidence, he seems to be easily distracted in
class but gains more concentration as his confidence and interest in poetry grows in the
movie
● Memory: He has a good memory and recalls how his parents gave him the desk writing
set the previous year for his birthday. He recalls Mr. Keating’s “Carpe Diem” throughout
the movie.
● Regulation of emotions: His face shows all of the emotions he is feeling. He doesn’t
have a poker face but he does regulate his emotions relatively well. He broke down at the
news of Perry’s death.
● Assertiveness/shyness: very shy at the beginning of the movie but gains more self-
confidence through the movie especially through his friendship with Perry.
● Cultural influences and biases: His brother was a famous alumni of the school and
there is a lot more pressure on him because of it. Nolan said at the beginning of the
movie, “You have some big shoes to fill” and Todd looks downcast and miserable when
he mumbled in response. I believe that his parents want him to be a doctor as well.
Social Understanding:
● Why Todd Anderson chooses to belong to the group: He was persuaded by Neal and
he decided to join the society on the grounds that he would not have to speak at the
meetings
● What he gets from the group: Self-confidence and belongingness. He gained friends in
each of the members, except for Cameron
● Why he chose to be a part of the group instead of being alone: He seemed to be a
loner but wanted to give friendship a try
● How culture affected his decision to be part of the group: Todd faced extreme
pressure from his parents to live up to his brother’s legacy but he didn’t have the same
love and support his parents gave his brother
● What the group gains from Todd: Courage at the end of the movie to stand up to Nolan
Character: Knox Overstreet
Biological Understanding:
● Height: 5’10”
● Weight: Approximately 150 pounds
● Hair color: Brown
● Eye color: Brown
● Biological problems: Prominent nose (whether that is a problem is a matter of opinion)
and he may be slightly clumsy since he fell when playing soccer.
● Known genetics: He has an Ivy League image. He is determined and intelligent like his
family is.
● Gross motor skills: Rides bike very well but fell when he was playing soccer
● Fine motor skills: Plays the saxophone with skill
● Biological advances: Taller than most of his peers
● Hormones and reactions: He has romantic feelings for Chris and in turn, he caresses her
during a party while she is sleeping. He also writes Chris a poem and tells her he loves
her. His hormone levels increase when he is around Chris.
Psychological Understanding:
● Emotions and feelings: Has intense feelings of love for Chris. He brought her flowers
and wrote her a poem to show his attraction. He was not afraid to show his emotions to
her or among his peers.
● Stress level: Average or slightly above compared to his peers. He stresses over his love
life and schooling.
● Any psychological disorders: None are apparent to me
● Intelligence level: He has a fluid intelligence as well as his fellow classmates. He makes
inferences and adapts his thinking based on the situation he’s in. His poetry is quite good
and he really uses it to express himself.
● Attention: Easily distracted by thoughts of Chris and was determined to win her over.
● Concentration: When motivated by his love for Chris or the. He did not seem to notice
that it upset Chris when he showed up at her school.
● Memory: His ability to recall things is not super evident to me but he seems to be able to
recall anything Chris did or said or how she looked. He is more focused on her than
schoolwork it seems.
● Regulation of emotions: He is shy at first but becomes outgoing and social with the
Society and with his love for Chris. He showed his emotions more than his friends did.
● Assertiveness/shyness: Very outgoing and confident
● Cultural influences and biases: His father is a lawyer or corporate executive so he
probably will become a lawyer as well. His family attended Welton so that is why he
goes.
Social Understanding:
● Why Knox Overstreet chooses to belong to the group: To learn how to impress Chris
● What he gets from the group: Individualism and self growth
● Why he chose to be a part of the group instead of being alone: He wanted to pursue a
relationship with Chris and poetry was the way he did that. He also felt obligated to join
because his friends did.
● How culture affected his decision to be part of the group: It was an outlet for his focus
on his studies and where he could be himself and express his love through poetry. He
gained more experience with reading and writing poems.
● What the group gains from Knox: He really believed in love and he showed that
through his pursuing of Chris. He taught them to follow their hearts like he did. He also
helped them with their confidence.
Character: Charlie Dalton
Biological Understanding:
● Height: 5’11”
● Weight: Around 145 pounds
● Hair color: Brown
● Eye color: Brown
● Biological problems: He smokes
● Known genetics: Nothing is evident to me
● Gross motor skills: Kicks a ball
● Fine motor skills: Holds a cigarette between his fingers
● Biological advances: High energy
● Hormones and reactions: Seems to be sexually aware and has a huge interest in girls. It
is evident when he holds a picture of a nude woman with her breasts showing and reads a
poem to the group. He also asks Overstreet if he saw Chris naked. Compared to his peers,
he has the highest interest in girls and sex.
Psychological Understanding:
● Emotions and feelings: He is extremely passionate and supportive of Leating
● Stress level: Average because of school work. Doesn’t seem bothered by getting in
trouble or getting into college. It seems he assumes or has no worries about going to
college.
● Any psychological disorders: Possibly narcissistic personality disorder
● Intelligence level: He has a higher intelligence and is fluid. The time the class was
