What, if anything, do you think a person's handwriting reveals about them?

Question

I'm excessively proud of my elegant penmanship.

Answer 1

Hi,

First of all, let me congratulate you on your elegant penmanship! You've definitely got me beat on that count.

In a way, you pose two questions here. First, the stated question of whether handwriting reveals "anything" about a person. Many believe there is reason to suspect that handwriting may indicate, albeit in an extremely limited and broad way, something about one's personality traits. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no evidence--accepted by the scientific community--showing that this is actually true of specific traits. However, it does seem reasonable that there could be some undiscovered correlations.

In forensics, there are experts who specialize in confirming the veracity of handwriting samples. They are called Questioned Document Examiners (QDE). A QDE will use scientific techniques (including the examination of inks, paper fibers, and handwriting) to determine when and who is the genuine author of a given writing sample. The FBI might employ a QDE to determine if a ransom letter was written by a particular suspect, for example.

So yes, handwriting can definitely reveal certain things.

The second question (though you don't explicitly state it), is whether specific handwriting letter formations can reliably and varifiably indicate specific personality traits. In other words, is it possible to discern personality from handwriting? A QDE does not do this.

"Graphology" (handwriting analysis) is the alleged "science" of doing just that. Graphology refers to specific methods and organizations of practitioners who make specific claims regarding what handwriting reveals about personality.

There are two basic types of graphology today: "Integrative" and "Holistic" graphology. Within these basic categories there are dozens of schools, many of which are openly hostile towards each other. Nevertheless, most share many "readings" in common; for example, large descending loops in lowercase g's and y's are generally considered to indicate a strong sex drive.

I should mention that years ago, I went through a "handwriting analysis" phase, and spent quite a bit of time studying it. While charmed at first, I soon discovered inconsistencies and flaws, and noticed that the "interpretations" I encountered in the literature were not in agreement, very subjective, and often just poorly reasoned.

Then I finally found out what scientists have to say on the matter: It's complete hogwash.

The evidence against graphology is overwhelming. For a thorough article, I very highly suggest that you read the following:

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/grapho.html

This article was written by Dr. Beyerstein, a member of the executive council of the Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), and a biopsychologist at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. If you aren't familiar with CSICOP, it's a large well known group (within the scientific community) of scientists who study paranormal claims (i.e., astrology, the existence of Bigfoot, fork-bending, fortune telling, etc.) and conduct experiments to test their claims.

Hundreds of studies have shown that graphology is totally unsupported by objective evidence. Furthermore, research shows that it is unlikely that a close one-to-one correspondence of neural structures that determine both personality AND shape the learned behavior of handwriting is even possible.

For a simple explanation of what graphology is, read the wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology

While wikipedia is famously objective, you'll notice that the "validity" section is not very favorable towards graphology. You'll also notice that graphology is not admitted as court testimony due to the fact that it has been "demonstrated that graphology has no scientific basis".

To form your own opinion you'll have to study both sides of the story, then make up your own mind.

Answer 2

I've heard the messier the handwriting, the more intelligent the person. Case in that point, I guess might be doctors. I've also heard, the neater the handwriting, the more educated a person is. Case in that point, would be a friend of mine who is a teacher. So, what about me? I usually print, sometimes scribble, and always mix upper case and lower case letters. Personally, I think it shows that I am either really artistic and creative...or really confused and in a hurry. I guess one would have to know me to decide.......

Answer 3

I have heard that handwriting can mean many things from signs of stress to sexuality in terms of how passionate you are in the bedroom. I don't know now accurate this all is but it's interesting.

Answer 4

i'm constructive to an expert, it famous a lot. merely like physique language famous a lot approximately human beings, handwriting is a diffused gadget which famous a lot approximately temperament and temper on the time they signed the paper.

Answer 5

Handwriting is one of the most personal routes we use to communicate with the world. Your secrets and fears and ambitions and beliefs can all be hidden in your handwriting.

You may be interested in these sites.

Answer 6

Personality & Penmanship,I do believe I've heard

Answer 7

Nothing other than the fact that the have neat or sloppy handwriting.

Answer 8

even the fbi uses handwriting analysis, so there's got to be something there
you should check out this site.. if nothing else, its fun

Answer 9

All handwriting says something about people..the way they feel, who they are, how they live thier lives ect.

Answer 10

I had a freind that I assumed was gay, and his hand wirting was featherly and slanted. My BFF has ADD and is very messy and bold, as is her writing. I'm not sure about my hand wiriting though...