Skeptics of handwriting analysis say they want statistics on the validity of handwriting analysis, such as those involving published medical studies. Yet time and time again the outcomes of such scientific studies are proved unreliable due to bias (e.g., the study that found the drug superior was sponsored by the company that makes it).

Or, skeptics suggest that a handwriting analysis study should be “peer-reviewed.” However, there are many studies showing that peer review doesn’t enhance the accuracy of scientific work at all.

Even so, if they insist on scientific reviews, there exist many involving the science of handwriting analysis. The best anyone can do is to conduct objective empirical investigations, such as the ones here (extensive list–over 200, many from the past decade–of scientific papers published in non-graphological peer-reviewed journals since 1950): http://tinyurl.com/4cx3nf

You can’t prove that something has scientific validity. But you can prove a practice invalid. So far, handwriting analysis (or comprehensive astrology, or comprehensive numerology, etc.) has yet to be proven invalid. The above studies very firmly lend authenticity to the science of graphology.

An aside, handwriting analysts never claim 100% accuracy, and there doesn’t exist any psychological assessment tool that is 100% accurate.

Handwriting analysis is a valid supplement to other testing methods. It’s extremely useful in determining if a job applicant fits a job description, thereby saving the company time and money, along with helping to reduce security risks. It does not, however, directly predict the success of the applicant on the job.

Handwriting analysis is also extremely effective in assessing already existing employees’ strengths and challenges. It can go a long way in helping to improve workplace productivity and morale by uncovering true abilities and compatibility.

Reasonable levels of accuracy are assured if the graphologist has extensive training, such as by earning certification from a respected handwriting analysis school. An analyst knowledgeable in both trait-based and  holistic approach graphology is best, rather than only one of the two methodologies.

A graphologist’s analysis is relative to the time the handwriting sample was written. Although it’s possible for a person’s script to change somewhat over time, the basic structure (organization, form, zonal balance, spacing, etc.) most often remains the same. But it is a good idea to have the person offer an updated writing sample for a current analysis if the person has gone through some major life changes, or if the last analysis they had done was when they were 23, and they are now 43, for example.

For those who are still skeptical of graphology, recall that many respected scientists in the earlier part of the twentieth century insisted that psychology could not be a science. It took decades for psychology to be accepted as the valid science it is today.

The U.S. Library of Congress catalogues graphology (handwriting analysis) books in the psychology, document examination, and personnel screening categories.

“Graphologist” (handwriting analyst) is listed in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Directory of Occupational Titles (DOT) as “miscellaneous professional.”

The U.S. Department of Labor Dictionary of Occupational Titles lists the profession of graphologist (handwriting analyst) as follows: http://tinyurl.com/52wb9u 199.267-038 GRAPHOLOGIST Analyzes handwriting to appraise personal characteristics: Obtains handwriting specimen to observe overall appearance of writing and detailed formation of letters. Measures height of letters and slant of writing, using calibrated templates. Observes individual writing strokes to determine unique or distinguishing characteristics, using ruler and low-power magnifying glass or microscope. Evaluates handwriting sample and interprets findings, according to theories of handwriting analysis. May use diagram to plot writing characteristics. GOE: 02.04.01 STRENGTH: S GED: R4 M3 L3 SVP: 6 DLU: 89 Evidence of handwriting analysis having done harm in personnel selection or in other applications in the workplace is non-existent.

Over 300 handwriting indicators must be considered in doing a thorough analysis. Some of the more notable considerations are as follows: consistency; compression; down-strokes; elaboration; expansion; finals; fluidity; form; harmony; lead-ins; loops; margins; movement; organization; pressure; rhythm; signature compared to the rest of script; size; slant; overall arrangement and picture of space; spacing (letter, word, line, etc.); speed; zonal balance and much more.

Does any single consideration, such as excessive elaboration, override the cumulative strength of the collective body of other considerations? No.

All of the hundreds of indicators in a handwriting sample collectively either support or reduce the energy of any one consideration. Any single indicator must be corroborated by other indicators. The analyst weighs individual considerations and then views them in the context of the entire writing sample; the sample is dissected then re-built into a profile outlining the personality.

Graphology is grounded in common sense. For example, pressure of handwriting is symbolic of emphasis in speech; size is representative of how much attention you want; slant is how you react (left = withdrawal, right = outwardly expressive); writing movement is how you act (e.g., appears to be moving forward quickly equates to high drive, etc.); and signature could be interpreted as how you want others to view you. Handwriting is like mind-writing and handwriting analysis is a mind interpretation method.

Graphology is a valid, ethical approach to help define a person’s abilities and challenges, and it can help employers run their businesses more efficiently (before and after hiring). It can also be used by parents, singles, couples, teachers, and anyone else who is seeking more understanding about themselves and others.

Copyright © 2009 Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo

Handwriting analysis (graphology) shows how a person thinks and acts, along with their emotional balance, maturity, and much more. It denotes past conduct and displays potential for future behavior.

The fascinating thing about handwriting analysis is that you can interpret beyond the persona; subconscious personality is revealed.

Common mistaken beliefs about handwriting analysis abound, such as that it involves only scrutiny of the signature or how attractive the script appears.

Below we deal with five common concerns about the science of graphology.

Concern:
“My writing looks horrible! Will this rule me out?”

Answer:
No. How your writing actually looks (form, etc.) is only one indicator of hundreds. Don’t worry. There are highly skilled and talented people throughout history who have messy-looking handwriting. The world is also replete with sociopaths who have very attractive-looking handwriting.

Concern:
“What if I have a physical limitation, such as arthritis that limits my handwriting?”

Answer:
Handwriting analysts take any physical limitation into consideration. As we list on our handwriting sample form, “Please explain any physical limitation that affects your handwriting…If you are using medication that you feel might alter your handwriting in any way, please say so and list the medication.” We also state on our “How to Prepare a Handwriting Sample” document, “Please state if you have suffered any emotional or physical trauma during the last year that might affect your handwriting,” and take such things into consideration when doing the analysis.

Concern:
“What if my handwriting changes depending on the writing instrument and the surface on which I’m writing?”

Answer:
A well-trained handwriting analyst gives specific directions to the person writing the handwriting sample to avoid any such concerns. Please see “How to Prepare a Handwriting Sample”. In this document, we ask that you use a regular ball-point pen, unlined paper, be seated comfortably at a desk or table, and write at least a half page, among other advice.

Also, most of the 300+ indicators of your handwriting change far less than you realize no matter with what or on what you are writing.

Concern:
“If artists can alter their handwriting when they want, doesn’t this mean it’s not a useful personality assessment tool?”

Answer:
If a person is applying for a job and they are told that as part of the hiring process they will be asked to submit a handwriting sample, and the sample directions list the following (among other requests): “The writing sample should be done in your normal writing style while you are comfortably seated at a table or desk. If you habitually print, then please also include a paragraph of cursive writing. If you normally have several styles of writing, you may also include samples of each,” then chances are they will not attempt to alter their usual script. Even if they do, a good analyst can spot affectation and bluff. By attempting to significantly alter his or her writing, the writer also would risk misrepresenting themselves to the detriment of appearing to not be a match for the job.

Concern:
“According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, handwriting analysis might seem to be discriminatory since if anyone who has a disability cannot take a test, then nobody can; evaluations that can’t be adapted for use by those who are disabled, such as a blind person, can’t be used by a potential employer.”

Answer:
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated, “We are not aware of any evidence or cases which suggest that graphology has an adverse impact on a protected class.”

Anyone who can write a few paragraphs of spontaneous writing, even if it is with their foot or mouth holding the pen, can have their handwriting analyzed. Despite what some might claim, a handwriting analyst can’t distinguish sex, sexual orientation, race, age, weight, height, religion, or marital status from a handwriting sample. Handwriting analysis might just be the most non-discriminatory personality profiling method in existence. Firm correlations between specific protected classes and handwriting analysis indicators have not been identified.

An employer should make sure that every job applicant submits a handwriting sample, whether or not that applicant’s handwriting sample is to be analyzed, if the employer plans to analyze handwriting as a form of evaluation for the job.

We advise the utilization of graphology as one of the most valuable forms of character analysis available.

Copyright © 2008 Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo

Handwriting analysis is the scientific investigation of handwriting to determine personality characteristics.

Although handwriting analysis is gaining in popularity, many misconceptions exist about this complex form of personality analysis.

Below we address six common concerns about handwriting analysis:

Concern:
“If behavioral scientists had found it to be a valid tool, then they would have done so by now and it would be commonly used.”

Answer:
Human behavioral studies involving handwriting analysis exist and it has been found to be a valid tool. More than 200 scientific papers have been published in non-graphological peer-reviewed publications in the last 58 years: http://tinyurl.com/4cx3nf

Also, handwriting analysis is already commonly used in the workplace (and elsewhere) at this time, although it is more popular in Europe than it is in America.

Concern:
“As a candidate for a job, I want to be considered due to my experience and talent, not the results of some examination of my signature.”

Answer:
Your signature (and how it relates to the rest of your script) is only part of what is analyzed. At least a half page handwriting sample is best to properly analyze handwriting.

We and other respected professionals advise employers to hire based on a person’s experience, talent, and the results of personality testing methods, which indicate whether someone has the mindset for a particular job. We recommend the use of a range of evaluations (e.g., graphology in conjunction with other psychological testing methods), in addition to the interview to determine a person’s fit for the demands of any particular job.

As we say on our handwriting sample forms, “Decisions will not be made based only on the results of the graphological analysis, but in conjunction with the interview process, decision-maker observations, and other information.”

Concern:
“What if 10 different handwriting analysts interpret a person’s script 10 different ways? Isn’t there a problem with interpretation?”

Answer:
We recommend employers hire well-trained graphologists, such as those who have earned certification from a respected handwriting analysis school. In doing so, the problem of varying interpretations is eliminated.

Concern:
“How does a person’s handwriting tell you ‘this person can or can’t do the job?’ This does not seem like a reasonable tool to help make hiring decisions.”

Answer:
First, through the complex coordination of physical body, the nervous system, and mind function, you express yourself in your writing like no one else. Handwriting is called an expression of your true self because it has been shown to directly link to subconscious character, the real personality behind the public persona. It’s really mind-writing and it’s as unique as your fingerprints. Even twins have different fingerprints and they also have different handwriting, sometimes drastically different, if you delve into the hundreds of indicators used for a comprehensive analysis.

Handwriting analysis doesn’t directly predict the success of a job applicant. However, it does provide infomation about whether or not the applicant is a match for the job based on the job description. Motivtions (e.g., social involvement, recognition, money, etc.), intellect, work habits, communication skills, and emotional foundation are some common areas of assessment.

There are many personality traits that aren’t easy to measure by talking to an applicant, reviewing their resume, and having them take standard personality evaluations. Handwriting analysis is so valuable because it assesses subconscious character, the actual personality, aside from the one presented or witnessed when an individual is at their best. It goes beyond evaluating an applicant just for the job tasks.

Handwriting analysis is particularly useful in determining specific personality traits needed for a job, such as consistency, flexibility, sincerity, emotional maturity, ability to make distinctions, decision-making ability, analytical ability, problem solving ability, ability to cope with stress, objectivity, and much more.

Concern:
“What if handwriting analysis exposes a questionable personality dynamic that you wouldn’t see demonstrated on the job, that is totally unrelated to the position? I’d be concerned that this is an invasion of my privacy.”

Answer:
Established legal precedents exist in relation to handwriting analysis. One U.S. court ruled that your script is “behavior in public” and that using it as the foundation of personality evaluation can’t be viewed as an invasion of privacy. U.S. vs. Hazelwood School District 534 F 2nd 805 states that graphology is “not precluded in hiring if it is related to the job.”

Invasion of privacy hinges on the expectation of privacy, which vanishes when you fill out a job application in your handwriting and acknowledge that the employer will read it. Also, employers understand (e.g., through performance agreements, such as the one we use) that only the employer’s decision-makers (i.e., your interviewer, etc.), those supervisory personnel who have a “need to know,” are entitled to see the results of the analysis. The contents of each profile is kept confidential, as per the client-analyst agreement.

Besides, no ethical handwriting analyst would tell your prospective employer about your possible early-life sexual abuse, for example, because it’s not directly related to the job. It’s the responsibility of the graphologist to focus exclusively on personality traits required for optimum job performance, i.e., identify personality strengths and challenges related to the job position.

Concern:
“The majority of adults entering the workforce today can’t even write. It’s becoming an obsolete skill due to computers.”

Answer:
Although people aren’t writing as much as they used to due to computers, we believe almost everyone can still write, even those who just graduated from high school. Even if they use only printing and not cursive, their script can still be analyzed. It’s very doubtful the ability to write will become totally obsolete.

We recommend handwriting analysis as one of the most effective forms of personality analysis in existence.

Copyright © 2008 Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo

Elaborate handwriting, including lots of embellishment such as unnecessary loops, curves, spirals, underlining, circles, wavy lines, and other forms is an important, and telling, handwriting analysis consideration.

Handwriting analysis, or graphology, is so informative because it reveals subconscious character, the real personality, not just the persona and the one seen when a person is at his or her best.

The U.S. Library of Congress classifies graphology as a branch of psychology.

All in all, there are over 300 handwriting traits to consider when doing an analysis. Some of the more obvious ones include the following: connectives; connectivity; consistency; contradictions in script; compression; contraction/expansiveness; down-strokes; elaboration; expansion; finals; fluidity; form; harmony; hooks; jabs; knots; lead-ins; legibility; loops; margins; movement; organization; originality; pressure; retracing; rhythm; shading; signature compared to the rest of script; simplicity; size; slant; overall arrangement and picture of space; letter, word and line spacing; speed; spirals; tension; ties; zonal balance and much more.

Does any single consideration, such as the excessive elaboration, override the cumulative strength of the collective body of other considerations? No.

The collective body of traits in a handwriting sample either supports or mitigates the energy of any one individual aspect.

Also, in order for a specific graphology trait to accurately reflect personality, it must be throughout the handwriting sample at least three to four times to qualify.

Accuracy in graphology demands that the context of the entire writing sample be considered and that all individual aspects and parts of the script must be interpreted independently and then built into a complete picture describing the personality.

Also, you need at least a half page of cursive handwriting and not just a signature if you want to start on the right track.

For the highest level of accuracy in handwriting analysis, formal graphology training is recommended. However, we created our Graphology Resource Keys for anyone  to gain a very good understanding of their own or other’s subconscious character simply by comparing a handwriting sample to the Keys.

Copybook form, or “perfect handwriting,” varies somewhat from country to country and it’s best to be familiar with the standard copybook form of the country in which the person learned to write.

It’s good if your handwriting is not perfect, because you don’t want perfect handwriting. It’s natural to gradually move away from the basic copybook form you learned in grade school to develop your own unique style.

Just as everyone has a unique personality, everyone has unique handwriting. Aristotle remarked, “Spoken words are the symbols of mental experience and written words are the symbols of spoken words. Just as all men do not have the same speech sounds, so do all men not have the same writing.”

Adults who write in copybook form (considering there is corroborating energy from the rest of the handwriting considerations) strive to follow all rules exactly and abide by all laws. They are usually conformists, traditional, and inhibited. They commonly carry guilt and repression is customary. Hence, “perfect” handwriting is far from perfect.

If your handwriting has a lot of originality with high form level (good balance, movement, harmony, etc.) and other positive traits, it could indicate flexibility, resourcefulness, confidence, inward motivation, and possible leadership skills.

On the other hand, if you see originality in an off-balanced, inharmonious script (low form level), you could find rebelliousness, defiance, turmoil, confusion, dishonesty, and even psychosis or criminal-minded behavior.

Spirals are generally a negative sign relating, in part, to deception or self-deception.

Normal elaboration includes longer than usual t-bars and finals at the end of words, for example.

Excessive elaboration, such as artificial flourishes, many added strokes, long lower zone length (loops of letters such as lower case g and j), etc. could indicate an ostentatious personality with a need to impress others, a need for drama, flirtatiousness, vanity, exaggeration, bluff, a mind too rooted in fantasy, insincerity, a need to be told they are loved, façade of intrigue to mask an inferiority complex, possible deception, scattered energy, affectation, defense for self-consciousness, unstable self image, too much focus on trivial matters, and difficulty concentrating.

As the level of inharmoniousness increases with excessive elaboration, the negative traits listed above will also intensify.

If you see excessive elaboration mainly in the upper zone (e.g., where the t’s are crossed), which is the zone of the intellect, you may find someone whose thinking is ruled by illusion, and even someone who is a compulsive liar.

But remember, although it’s alluded to above, it’s important enough to say again: no single graphology indicator, by itself, absolutely describes any one personality trait.

Yes, straight-across, blunt ending strokes can indicate cautiousness, but there could be ten or more other indicators in a person’s script that would mitigate the notion.

If you find elaboration that is excessively complicated, especially with many complicated circle letters, such as a and o, it could point toward someone who is trying to hide something, even if it’s on an unconscious level and not in an intentionally deceptive way.

Look to the zone of handwriting for more clues to what the excessive elaboration with inharmonious handwriting indicates: in the lower zone (where the loops of letters such as g and j reside) it’s an imbalance relating to sexuality, social life, materialism, and physical energy, among others; in the middle zone (where letters such as n, m, and o reside) it’s an imbalance in practicality, daily routine, here-and-now, ego, consciousness and more; and in the upper zone (where the t-bar, tops of t’s, and h’s reside) it’s an imbalance in mental, intellectual, philosophical, literary interests, the imagination, and more.

When you see a Hollywood star’s signature that has over-the-top elaboration, if the rest of his or her script is much more subdued, it’s a sign of pretentiousness.

Alternatively, elaboration with positive indicators is favorable. With harmonious handwriting it can symbolize charm, healthy imagination, and originality.

Copyright © 2007 Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo