Graphology

Graphology is the analysis of handwriting in an attempt to determine the writer's personality traits. Its methods and conclusions are not supported by scientific evidence,^[1]^[2] and as such it is considered to be a pseudoscience.^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

Graphology has been controversial for more than a century. Although proponents point to positive testimonials as anecdotal evidence of its utility for personality evaluation, these claims have not been supported by scientific studies.^[1]^[7] It has been rated as among the most discredited methods of psychological analysis by a survey of mental health professionals.^[8]

^ ^a ^b Driver, Russell W.; Buckley, M. Ronald; Frink, Dwight D. (April 1996). "Should We Write Off Graphology?". International Journal of Selection and Assessment. 4 (2): 78–86. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2389.1996.tb00062.x.
^ Cohen, Roger (19 October 1993). "In France, It's How You Cross the t's". The New York Times.
^ Cite error: The named reference nevo1986 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference Graph_Beyer_PBS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "BEYOND SCIENCE? Paper Personality, on season 8, episode 2". Scientific American Frontiers. Chedd-Angier Production Company. 1997–1998. PBS. Archived from the original on 2006-01-01.
^ Dunning, Brian. "Skeptoid #363: All About Graphology". Skeptoid. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
^ Furnham, Adrian; Gunter, Barrie (January 1987). "Graphology and personality: Another failure to validate graphological analysis". Personality and Individual Differences. 8 (3): 433–435. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(87)90045-6.
^ Norcross, John C.; Koocher, Gerald P.; Garofalo, Ariele (2006). "Discredited psychological treatments and tests: A Delphi poll". Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 37 (5): 515–522. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.37.5.515. ISSN 1939-1323. Five tests rated by at least 25% of the experts in terms of being discredited for a specific purpose received mean scores of 4.0 or higher: Luscher Color Test, Szondi Test, handwriting analysis (graphology), Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test (for assessment of neuropsychological impairment), eneagrams, and Lowenfeld Mosaic Test

[DriverBuckleyFrink1996-1] Driver, Russell W.; Buckley, M. Ronald; Frink, Dwight D. (April 1996). "Should We Write Off Graphology?". International Journal of Selection and Assessment. 4 (2): 78–86. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2389.1996.tb00062.x.

[NYT1-2] Cohen, Roger (19 October 1993). "In France, It's How You Cross the t's". The New York Times.

[nevo1986-3] Cite error: The named reference nevo1986 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Graph_Beyer_PBS-4] Cite error: The named reference Graph_Beyer_PBS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[ReferenceA-5] "BEYOND SCIENCE? Paper Personality, on season 8, episode 2". Scientific American Frontiers. Chedd-Angier Production Company. 1997–1998. PBS. Archived from the original on 2006-01-01.

[Dunning-6] Dunning, Brian. "Skeptoid #363: All About Graphology". Skeptoid. Retrieved 2 September 2016.

[Furnham1987-7] Furnham, Adrian; Gunter, Barrie (January 1987). "Graphology and personality: Another failure to validate graphological analysis". Personality and Individual Differences. 8 (3): 433–435. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(87)90045-6.

[8] Norcross, John C.; Koocher, Gerald P.; Garofalo, Ariele (2006). "Discredited psychological treatments and tests: A Delphi poll". Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 37 (5): 515–522. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.37.5.515. ISSN 1939-1323. Five tests rated by at least 25% of the experts in terms of being discredited for a specific purpose received mean scores of 4.0 or higher: Luscher Color Test, Szondi Test, handwriting analysis (graphology), Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test (for assessment of neuropsychological impairment), eneagrams, and Lowenfeld Mosaic Test

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