Handwriting Analysis: Answering 5 Misconceptions
Handwriting analysis (graphology) shows how a person thinks and acts, along with their emotional balance, maturity, and much more. It denotes past behavior and shows potential for future behavior.
The fascinating thing about handwriting analysis is that it can be interpreted beyond the person; the subconscious personality is revealed.
Common misconceptions about handwriting analysis abound, such as that it only involves scrutiny of the signature or how attractive the script appears.
Here are five common concerns about the science of graphology.
Concern:
“My writing looks awful! Will this rule me out?”
Answer:
No. The actual appearance of your writing (shape, etc.) is just an indicator of hundreds. Do not worry. There are highly trained and talented people throughout history who have messy handwriting. The world is also full of sociopaths who have very attractive handwriting.
Concern:
“What if I have a physical limitation, such as arthritis, that limits my writing?”
Answer:
Handwriting analysts take into account any physical limitations. As we listed on our handwriting sample form, “Please explain any physical limitations affecting your handwriting … If you are using a drug that you think might alter your handwriting in any way, please say so and list the drug.” . We also indicate in our document “How to prepare a handwriting sample”, “Please indicate if you have suffered any emotional or physical trauma in the last year that may affect your handwriting” and take these aspects into account when conducting the analysis.
Concern:
“What if my handwriting changes depending on the writing instrument and the surface I’m writing on?”
Answer:
A well-trained handwriting analyst gives specific instructions to the person writing the handwriting sample to avoid such concerns. See “How to Prepare a Handwriting Sample” on our site. In this document, we ask that you use a regular pen, unlined paper, that sits comfortably on a desk or table and writes at least half a page, among other tips.
Plus, most of the 300+ pointers to your writing change a lot less than you think, no matter what or what you’re writing about.
Concern:
“If artists can alter their handwriting whenever they want, doesn’t that mean it’s not a useful tool for assessing personality?”
Answer:
If a person is applying for a job and is told that, as part of the hiring process, they will be asked to submit a handwriting sample, and the sample instructions list the following (among other requests): “The sample of Writing should be done in your normal writing style while you are comfortably seated at a table or desk. If you print regularly, include a paragraph of cursive writing as well. If you normally have multiple writing styles, you can also include samples of each, “then the chances will not try to alter your usual script. Even if they do, a good analyst can spot assignments and deceive. By attempting to significantly alter his or her writing, the writer would also run the risk of misrepresenting himself to the detriment of appearing not compatible with the job.
Concern:
“According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, handwriting analysis can appear discriminatory because if someone with a disability cannot take a test, no one can take it; assessments that cannot be tailored for them. used by disabled people, such as as a blind person, it cannot be used by a potential employer. “
Answer:
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated: “We are not aware of any evidence or case to 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 writing analyzed. Despite what some may claim, a handwriting analyst cannot distinguish gender, sexual orientation, race, age, weight, height, religion, or marital status from a handwriting sample. . Handwriting analysis might be the most nondiscriminatory personality profiling method out there. No firm correlations have been identified between specific protected classes and handwriting analysis indicators.
An employer must ensure that each job applicant submits a handwriting sample, whether or not the applicant’s handwriting sample is analyzed, if the employer plans to analyze the handwriting as a form of evaluation for the job.