Handwiting analysis is refered to as Graphology. Handwriting may also be regarded as "brainwriting". It is an expression of the whole personality. Writing is expressive movements and these movements have there meanings and interpretations. Graphology is the study of handwriting and the connection it has to a persons behavior.
There are three main systems of graphology. In Holistic Graphology a persons profile is formed on the the basis of Form, Movement and Space. Integrative Graphology is constructed on the basis that specific stroke formations relate to personality traits. Symbolic Analysis is based on the analysis of symbols seen in the handwriting. Every system of graphology has its own vocabulary that makes the meaning those words different.
Graphology has been activley used in compiling profiles for Employment, Business Partnerships and Marital Compatibility. In Switzerland, approximately 80 percent of large corporations use graphology in their hiring procedures. Forensic document examination is not Grapholohy as it is only used to determine whether or not a document was written by the person concerned.
History of Graphology:
Most of what we know about Graphology dates back over the last few hundred years. The first known book about Graphology was published in 1622 by Camillo Baldi, an Italian doctor of medicine and philosophy. In 1872, Jean Michon published his book on Graphology which became the Authoity on the subject at that time. Soon, European universities started to offer a Ph.D. or Master's degree in graphology. With the advancement of psychology as a profession so did the study of Graphology advance.
Conducting a Graphology Analysis:
You will need a sample of spontaneous handwriting written on plain paper using a ballpoint or fountain pen of not less than 12 lines long with a signature. The age and sex of the writer. Graphology instruments needed are a magnifying glass, plastic ruler showing millimeters and a protractor for assessing the slant of the writing.
How accurate is Graphology? A lot depends on the ability of the person doing the Graphology analysis. As an indicator of personality and behavior, Graphology is around 80-90% accurate.
Example of analysis:
DIRECTION OF LINES
Instruction in writing has usually insisted in writing in straight lines. When we buy writing paper it is ruled in a straight line. But even after years of practise the reality is that few people write in a straight line.
Deviations from writing in a straight line are not the exception but more the norm. In some cases fatigue can be considered a reason for a descending line.
Generally speaking descending lines may be caused by depression or pessimism. Experience shows that people in a mood swing may temporarily write in descending lines.
On the other hand ascending lines may indicate optimism. When we write we move from left to right, in other words we progress.
The activity of writing may therefore be interpreted as a movement toward the future. It may be said it represents our hopes and dreams.
A person who writes a straight line may also go straight toward his daily aim. If a person writes in a precisely straight line we may say that person is unyeilding.
People who write in convex lines (a line that ascends then descends) start their project with ambition and enthusiasm only to lose interest and give up before the task has been completed.
People who write with concave lines (a line that descends than ascends) approach their task with little optimism but gain self confidence as the task nears completion. Out of a sample of 1,000 people only 3 people were found to write concave lines.
Lines that are ascending steps are often found in people who have little stamina. Descending steps are often found in writers who bravely fight off depressive moods. Wavy, meandering lines may be indicative of moodiness.
SPACE BETWEEN WORDS
Space between the words is non-deliberate. When we write the words follow one another as they do in speech.
When a person speaks with pauses it may be because they are accustomed to pondering and considering before they act. It may also be because the person wants to let the words sink in to the audiences consciousness.
However, on the other hand if the pauses outweigh the importance of the speech, then we may conclude the speaker is conceited. If there is no pause between the writers words then we may say this is a person of action. This person may also be impulsive.
Sometimes writers words are widley spaced and at other times narrowly spaced. We may say that this writer is unstable in both thinking and emotions.
SPACE BETWEEN LINES
The space between the lines is most probably deiberately planned. The space between the lines can be described as the picture of the writers mind.
A person who writes with wide space lines may live a life of order and system. These people have executive ability and reasonableness. But if the space between the lines becomes too wide it may indicate a person who likes to keep their distance.
Small spaces between the lines may indicate a person who likes to be around other people. Overlapping lines may indicate a person who suffers from an emotional or mental disorder. If the lower zone descends in the following lines upper zone it may indicate a person who has strong sexual impulses.
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