Handwriting?

Question

I've heard that often geniuses will have messy handwriting but haven't heard much about the sort of people who have neat handwriting. Does anyone know what traits people with neat handwriting commonly have, as opposed to say creativity in someone with messy handwriting?

Answer 1

There are sort of "indirect" correlations between personality and handwriting.

Imani says a few good things in her post, but handwriting is only a "partial snapshot" of a person; and past experiences could impact a person so that they don't follow the guidelines mentioned there. (For example, a normally messy kid who is sent to military school or punished severely for bad handwriting might develop better handwriting than would be warranted otherwise.)

There are also multiple causes for things.

For example, messy handwriting can mean (1) the person is not mechanically skilled (i.e., can't physically write well, hasn't practiced). It could mean (2) the person is indifferent to just the subject matter being written about or considers it a bother (so he is rushing through it). It could mean (3) he was in a hurry to go somewhere else and couldn't take time with the writing sample. It could mean (4) he is generally focused on other things and that handwriting is not important to him as much as (let's say) ideas are.

Now think about all the traits being tested for in a handwriting sample and how they could all interact, and you start to see the problem in drawing definite conclusions from a simple sample.

That's not to say there is no correlation, though.

My wife, for example, has perfect handwriting. It's sickeningly "by the book," and it NEVER varies. :) This happens to fit her personality perfectly. She is spatially organized and "neat," she likes to repeat the same tasks over and over and get them perfect rather than exploring much, she is very interested in learning what is expected of her and then meeting those expectations. She's very dutiful and responsible. She also wants her appearance (handwriting included) to reflect this about herself.

So these traits are expressed in her exacting handwriting. Her writing also is "warm," not "cold" -- and she's a feelings-oriented person.

Her father is an engineer, and his handwriting tends to be small, linear, structured, precise. Nothing extravagant -- just very uniform but not as "neat" and "pretty" as my wife's.

Me, on the other hand? I do not write cursive, I print in block capitals; I can't write the same word the same way twice to save my life; and usually things end up looking like a sprawl. :)

When I use lowercase to write, I usually end "flattening out" all the letters except for the first and last ones in the word -- most people can't read my writing. This is because my ideas are usually coming faster than my hand can keep up with; and because I consider ideas more important than the actual appearance of the writing. I'm also creative, so it's hard for me to (1) practice long enough to repeat things perfectly each time and (2) want to look uniform each time.

So our handwriting does reflect some of the attributes we value in life. I think we have to think more holistically, however -- not just deriving broad ideas from one small detail of the writing, but what the writing as a whole suggests about a person.

Answer 2

Handwriting is a mechanical acquired skill. The thought process of a genius is rapid and intuitive often outstripping the ability of the hand to get the information down on paper. This time lag results in attempts to write even faster which produces a badly formed script. Genius in some other intellectual fields does not require fast writing and so the problem does not arise.

Answer 3

If your writing leans left you have passion and energy but are smart so you don't run wild. You might be raring to go but you have low confidence and are self-consciousness, don't let this hold you back.

Leaning the opposite way also has an opposite personality. The writer is super-confident and a true people-person: they like being surrounded by people. You do have a darker side though, you linger in the past which sometimes holds you back.

If your letters are written lightly upright you are independent, good at making decisions but are extremely careful. You are straight-talking and not overly emotional

Small neat writing shows that the writer thinks ahead and doesn't take risks. They lead with their head, not their heart, so are sensible and rarely let go. They are analytical and aware so they notice small details.

Large, fancy like writing shows that you are a happy person who is general lucky. You are full of enthusiasm for life and has plenty of flare .Be careful though, this also means that you have a habit to not look before you leap, so slow it down a little.


When letters are rolled with extra swirls, the writer may deliberately hide the truth from others

the writer presses down with their pen a lot, it shows that they have great energy. However this may cause them to get stressed sometimes

Answer 4

You need an artistic mode of seeing and have to follow a set of rules. If you did not " pay attention" when being taught, or do not like to follow rules, then you will have poor handwriting. Physicians as a group,have excellent handwriting, they write sloppy by tradition so no one but the druggist understands it and can't be forged. However, mistakes, are made, with the large variety of drugs these days and granted freedom of the patient today to understand what the physician is ordering.If you have poor handwriting, I put out I think the first ever movie on improving handwriting.
Anyone Can Improve Their Handwriting ( CD ROM Movie)
By Jason Alster MSc
Handwriting is a tool for transfer of knowledge and must comply with acquired rules in order to understand what we read. The CD ROM deals with handwriting problems, rules, tips, and exercises. From students who have lower grades and self esteem to physicians who by law have to improve their writing- this CD can help. Based on 10 years experience helping ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia - Jason knows what works to improve your handwriting. Simple techniques, demonstrations - a new way of helping people of all ages improve their handwriting and be proud of their own " work of art"

Product Details

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659025173/

CD-ROM:
Publisher: Rainbow Cloud (July 20, 2006)
ISBN: 9659025173

Also :Creative Painting For The Young Artist a book teaching the artistic mode of seeing necessary for dysgraphics to learn to paint and draw, painting block, and students who want to be creative with art. An excellent compliment to Anyone Can Improve Their Handwriting.

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9659025122/

Answer 5

yeah those that are good with handwriting can indicate they can draw or have an artistic ability. Those that have sloppy handwriting usually excel at math and science. My hand writing sucks. I did an honors project for college for antrhopology regarding handwriting. This is what I found out.

Answer 6

Unless it's someone who is just trying the neat handwriting so others can read it, and they normally have messy, I'd say they're probably concerned much about rules, pleasing others, self control, etc.

Answer 7

Well, look at doctors handwriting. You usually can not decipher any of it, and they are generally very intelligent people.

If I am taking my time, like writing in a card or addressing Christmas card envelopes, my writing is much neater. If I want someone else to read it, my writing is neater. If it is just a note to myself, I often get sloppy and sometimes even leave out words, just getting the main gist of the info down so that i won't forget it.

Answer 8

Hand writing is indeed reflecting individuals personality.

For example, a person with clear and precise and hard printed hand writing could mean well organized, careful person
a person with sloppy unclear handwriting could mean he/she is a easy going or sloppy person.

However, since the day of technology. Bad handwriting could mean you just write less and have less practice on pens. I used to and could have neat hand writing myself. Since the invention of keyboard or computer, I write less and as a result, my hand writing is also bad.. does that mean anything??? Yes, it means Technology is taking over....

Answer 9

i think that people with neat handwriting are not in a hurry, i know my handwriting will change depending on my mood. you will never be able to read my signature.

Answer 10

I dont think its true. Just because you have got bad handwriting, you are a genius? It depends on our mental conditions at that particular time (stressed, excited...)