Psych Buster: Chapter 13, Personality By: Chloe Foster

The Statement: “Your handwriting is a strong indicator of your personality.”

The Study of Handwriting: There happens to be a scientific term to go with exactly what we’ll be investigating in this powerpoint. Graphology, is the study of handwriting.

The History of Graphology: The first book that had to do with handwriting related to character was published in 1622 by Camillo Baldi. He was an Italian doctor and professor of medicine, as well as a philosopher. He is known as the father of graphology. Monument to Baldi in the courtyard of the Archiginnasio in Bologna

More About Graphology: Graphology is a theory or practice for inferring a person's character, disposition, or attitude based on their handwriting. To many people, graphology is considered a pseudoscience. However, before I fall fault to the majority, I want to look more into it.

Three Different Types: There are three different types, or approaches, of graphology. Integrative Holistic Symbolic

1. The Integrative Approach: Specific stroke structures relate to personality traits. Most of the systems under this, use a cluster of stroke formations. Systems Based off This Approach: fixed Signs, trait stroke, French System, and Graphoanalysis.

2. The Holistic Approach: Based on the form, movement, and space of writing. Legibility also has a place in this approach. Systems Based off This Approach: psychogram, psychograph, personal worth chart, and the Wittlich Character Diagram.

3. The Symbolic Approach: Looks for symbols in the handwriting. Can be a major or minor symbol. Major- The meaning of the stroke as it relates to the page. Minor- The meaning of the stroke depending on the picture that the stroke draws. Systems: Holistic Graphology and Integrative Graphology

Three Main Indicators: In addition to three approaches, there are also three main indicators used when looking at handwriting. Pressure Shape of Strokes Slant of Writing

1. The Pressure Used The pressure of the writing helps to indicate the intensity of the emotion of the writer. The heavier the pressure, the more intense the emotion. Likewise, the lighter the pressure, the less intense the emotion is.

2. The Shape of the Strokes Angular = Aggressive behavior and high levels of energy Circular = Easygoing and Agreeable Irregular Strokes = Relaxed and Artistic Square = Practicality

3. The Slant of the Writing: Slant Forward = Emotionally Expressive Slant Vertically = Withdraws from Emotions Upward Slants = Optimism Downward Slants = Exhaustion or low energy levels

A Self Test: Graphologist Kathi McKnight introduces many novices to the handwriting world. She has a simple test that she gives to her students in order to get started. Kathi has each student write, in cursive, the sentence “She sells seashells by the seashore.”

The Results: The Slant~ Right = Open to world and likes to socialize Left = Likes to work alone or undetected None = Logical and practical

More Results: The Size~ Large = Big personality and outgoing Small = Good concentration and shy Average = Well-adjusted and adaptable

Even More Results: The Loops~ Closed for L = Restricting yourself Full for L = Spontaneous and relaxed Closed for E = Skeptical and unswayed Full for E = Open mind and like new things

Last Bit of Results: The “S”~ Round = People pleaser and avoid confrontation Pointy = Intellectual and ambitious Open at the Bottom = Don’t follow your heart Printed = Versatile

What Do the Results Tell Us? I did the test and although some of the results were spot on to my personality, others were very off. The test may be able to tell a graphologist a little about a person, but it can’t provide definite answers.

An interesting Look at “t”: or Consider the lowercase letter “t” Graphologists believe that the vertical stem of “t” represents goals The horizontal bar indicates the potential to accomplish the goals Higher bar = goals set high Lower bar = goals set lower than potential

Graphology Applied in Life: Graphology is used in three main categories that are related to everyday life.Each category can also be related to a job or career. 1. Compatibility Issues - Psychologist 2. Human Relations - Marriage Counselor 3. Legal Matters - Detective or Police

In Conclusion: Graphology has its place in careers, but that place is minor at most. When it comes right down to it, it’s not as plausible as it’s cracked up to be. It may be able to detect some characteristics of a writer, but sadly it really does fall into the pseudoscience category.

*BUSTED*

Citations: "Graphology." Health Source. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. "Graphology." Types Of Healing RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. "Graphology." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014 "Handwriting Analysis - Interpretation and Approaches." Handwriting Analysis - Interpretation and Approaches. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. "International Handwriting Analysis Society." International Handwriting Analysis Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. "Related Materials." Graphology, Handwriting Analysis. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. "What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?" Real Simple. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.