About Graphology

Graphology or handwriting analysis is helpful whenever a better understanding of an individual's personality and character is desired; this can be your own in the case of personality development or in determining compatibility or trust such as in hiring a babysitter, nanny or handyman.

A graphologist looks at the strokes of the writing rather than individual letters; therefore we can analyze writing in any language.  We also evaluate over 300 formations in a cursive writing sample along with the more gestalt aspects of a writing.  These include size, slant, slope, pressure, speed, and rhythm.  It can take as long as three years to become at all proficient in graphology.  It is often a life-long learning process.  

Before World War II, graphology was taught in most universities throughout Europe within their Psychology Departments.  Hitler outlawed its use (although he did use it himself in hiring those psychiatrists selecting  and training agents).  Although it was used within Harvard University in the 1970's (Gordon Allport was a proponent) a number of persons in America found it relatively easy to make a living using handwriting analysis as entertainment.  They found they could open a book on the subject, read a chapter or two and hang out a shingle.  Unfortunatley, the trend has been continued to some extent.  The American  Handwriting Analysis Foundation (AHAFhandwriting.org)) is perhaps the best resource for those interested in learning about graphology.  They provide learning resources, mentors and support for persons wanting to pursue the subject in an ethical and professional manner.  So, although graphology is a well rearched projective psychological assessment tool, it currently lacks the credibility to be used by the psycholgical community.

The US Supreme Court (Mara vs Mara) has ruled that handwriting is a form of  behavior in public, much like walking, smiling and laughing.  Therefore, it is not so much of a legal concern as an ethical one in which the graphologist operates.  The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation (AHAFhandwriting.org)), the professional association to which most professional graphologists currently belong, has established a set of ethical guidelines which members abide by.  

Graphology has been the subject of research, much of which has been published by peer reviewed jounals.  The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, AHAFhandwriting.org) has published a paper of research studies conducted on the subject and promotes research on graphology.

You may want to simply check out a book or two on the subject to see if it piques your interest.  

In my opinion, an essential book on the subject of graphology, is The Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis by Sheila Lowe.  It goes into depth on many ol the questions in this About Graphology section, in addtion to actually showing the beginning graphologist how to analyze writing.  Sheila has an excellent course on how to learn and practice graphology which you can find on SheilaLowe.com.  At this time, i don't believe any major university within the US offers graphology as a subject of study.  I once taught a Minnesota Psychology Board Approved Course on Handwriting Analysis to licensed psychologists. But this was only a three hour introductory course allowing professioal awareness on the subject.  It is my hope that at some point graphology will  be acccepted as a projective psyshcological assessment tool and taught within Psychology Departments (much like the Rorschach or inkblot test).

Surprisingly, perhaps, there are over twenty states in America in which cursive is legally mandated to be taught at the grade school level.  Research has shown neurological development is enhanced by learning cursive.  A great website to visit is CampaignForCursive.com.  It has Information on how to learn cursive and why it is beneficial to do so..  There are also YouTube tutorials available.  The New American Cursive developed by an educator and certified graphologist is based on psychological theory of child development.  It may  especially helpful to adults who want to improve their cursive or children learning in private schools or in home school settings

Only if psychologists know about it, respect it as a viable psychologcial assessment tool, and seek it out themselves will they find it applicable to their practice.  In my opinion, as a now retired psychologist (emeritus), graphology is an invaluable tool for psychologists.  Of course, it's only a 'piece of the puzzle' and should be used with every other assessment tool available.  When working in employment selection, for instance, I asked the employer to sign an agreement that they would use graphology and my assessment only in conjuntion with other selection methods, such as an interview, other testing, etc.  In career development planning,  I felt an interest and skills test to be more valuable than the graphology or personality assessment.  Fortunately, the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation has a monthly discussion about the use of graphology by counseling psychologists.

A listing of professional graphologists can be found on the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation website, AHAF handwriting.org.  These are dedicated and ethical professionals who will work with you to give you the results you desire.