What is Graphology? | British Institute of Graphologists Useful Links What is Graphology? We were all taught to write in a specific way when we were children at school, but it is evident that no one continues to write exactly the way they were taught and everyone's handwriting looks different. In fact as soon as someone can write, he or she gradually alters the shapes and sizes of letters in accordance with individual likes and dislikes. Why is this? The reason is that our personalities affect the way our handwriting develops after we were taught to write. This is because handwriting is the pattern of our psychology expressed in symbols on the page and these symbols are as unique as our own DNA. When you get to know a person's handwriting well enough, you recognise whose script it is, just as if it were a well-known painting or photograph. Graphology is based on the principle that every individual's handwriting has a character of its own and this is entirely due to the uniqueness of the writer's personality. So it is the writer's deviations from the copybook learnt that allows expert graphologists to assess, with the greatest accuracy, the character and capabilities of the writer.

In fact graphologists are exceptionally fortunate in that they see before them, in black and white, the pattern in symbolic form of a writer's whole psychological profile. By contrast, psychoanalysts and psychotherapists all over the world must formulate their own opinions solely on the basis of what is told to them over a period of time by the client in question. How does graphology work? Graphology is a blend of art and science. It is a science because it measures the structure and movement of the written forms - slants, angles and spacing are accurately calculated and the pressure is observed in magnification and with precision. And it is an art because the graphologist has constantly to keep in mind the total context in which the writing is taking place: the 'gestalt' of the writing as a whole. Writing consists of three things - movement, spacing and form. A graphologist studies these variations as they occur in each of these aspects of writing, and attaches psychological interpretations to them. Expert graphologists can achieve a very high degree of accuracy. The uses of graphology Do you think you are a good judge of character? Have you always been right? Or have you sometimes found that your first impressions have been wrong?

The truth is that appearances can be deceptive, but handwriting never lies. Handwriting reveals how the writer thinks, feels and behaves, and it does so directly and immediately. It shows the motivation that lies behind actions, and outlines the writer's propensity to behave in ways that may not be expected. Graphology not only examines behaviour, but the subconscious or the whys that lie behind actions, providing information that could not be established in any other way or in such a quick time. This makes graphology a very powerful tool. Handwriting analysis is therefore highly effective in a wide variety of practical situations. It can be used for personality assessment in any area of human activity where people interact. It is ideal, for example, within the following areas: Recruitment where it is an invaluable aid because an experienced graphologist can pick out the best candidates, and advise over suitability. Management selection in commerce and industry where it is employed in conjunction with psychometric testing. Corporate training where it can highlight staff strengths and flag up weaknesses, potential and motivation. Security checking and the evaluation of honesty and integrity. Career guidance for those seeking employment or a change of direction. Compatibility assessments for business and personal relationships. Personality profiling for individuals seeking self awareness for self development.

Child and family guidance to help resolve sensitive issues. Historical profiling for genealogists and biographers who want to learn more about people who have died. Document examination and forensic analysis for assessing forgeries and poison pen issues. (Note: B.I.G. tutors do not teach this specialist area.) Graphology as a professional skill For those wishing to become professional graphologists, the Institute offers a series of exams leading to diploma level (M.BIG). The B.I.G. not only fosters best practice and the highest standards of graphology but also, through its diploma course, trains experts to apply accurate graphological interpretation and to give a clear and thorough account of their findings. The Diploma from The British Institute of Graphologists is recognised throughout the world. A list of qualified members offering tuition in various formats, e.g. classes, private tuition, correspondence courses, etc., is provided by the Institute, purely for information purposes. For details see Education Graphology | Define Graphology at Dictionary.com graphology noun 1. the study of handwriting, especially when regarded as an expression of the writer's character, personality, abilities, etc. 2. Linguistics. the study of systems of writing; grammatology.

Origin of graphology [graf-uh-loj-ik] /ˌgræf əˈlɒdʒ ɪk/ (Show IPA), graphological, adjective graphologist, noun Examples from the Web for graphology Expand Criminal Psychology Hans Gross graphology, for instance, is naturally related to the functional action and to the characteristics of the hand itself. Pedagogical Anthropology Maria Montessori In this study, as in that of graphology and chiromancy, a deductive power of mind is required. British Dictionary definitions for graphology Expand the study of handwriting, esp to analyse the writer's character 2. (linguistics) the study of writing systems Derived Forms Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for graphology Expand n.

"study of handwriting," 1882, from French graphologie, coined 1868 by Abbé Jean-Hippolyte Michon (1806-1881) from comb. form of Greek graphein "to write" (see -graphy ) + logos "a speaking, a dealing with" (see logos ). Especially, "character study based on handwriting" (1886). Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper What is Graphology? | Learn Graphology What is Graphology? What is Graphology? Graphology is the study of how an individual’s handwriting indicates their character traits. This is based on the psychological concept of ‘deviance’. The way we learn to write in school is standard. School teachers teach their students to write in a uniform way. Nevertheless, we usually choose to ‘deviate’ from how the teacher taught us. This is why every individual's handwriting reflects what is unique about them. Over a decade ago many school systems, including ours, adopted D'Nealian Manuscript for writing instruction. Lower case letters are primarily rounded, written at normal speed and with average writing pressure.

Let's say someone who was taught this system, diverges. Instead of the round traditional way, now varies and writes angular in its place. Angles cut, like knives. This may indicate a hurtful trait. This writing is speedy. This usually impatient nature could specify a tendency toward quick temper, when considering the hurtful trait. Additionally, the script is written with heavy pressure, which signifies getting very uptight and reacts to what they might see as criticism. The definitions of the sum of these components express aggressiveness. Then, the astute graphologist looks if the writer repeats these nuances, i.e., is this a pattern? If there is a pattern, this is conclusive evidence that the trait of aggressiveness exists. Requirements for a graphologist: Although a background in psychology is an advantage, simply, the desire to know what makes people tick is helpful. If you are privileged with the wish to help others with your talent, you are blessed. Learn Graphology Course Your handwriting is unique like your fingerprints. Fingerprints identify your physical body. Handwriting reveals your whole personality – your mind, heart and soul. The LearnGraphology Course will teach you how to reveal personality traits through handwriting analysis.

It is an art and a science, a branch of psychological studies. When a person writes, it is his hand that does the writing, but his brain that does the dictating. There have been many cases of amputees who, having lost the hand or arm with which they wrote, relearned the art with either the other hand, or the feet, or the mouth. Aside from a certain understandable shakiness caused by the difficulties of the feat, the writings were extremely similar to the originals. Trained graphologists had no trouble recognizing the same individual. From this, we see that it is the personality that is expressed on paper by the handwriting. When a person writes in a given fashion, it represents a particular personality trait, which comes directly from the brain. As a child you were taught to write. Why don’t you continue to write the way you were taught? The fact that you don’t is the reason The Learn Graphology Course exists…. Register for your FREE E-Book! First Name The Assessment of Graphology — Central Intelligence Agency 22 SEPT 93 SECRET A professional assessor supports the amateur graphologist's appeal for validity tests, although not sharing his enchantment with the art.

THE ASSESSMENT OF GRAPHOLOGY E. A. Rundquist Two threads of argument run through the foregoing article on handwriting analysis. The first asserts the great need for research studies because "a proper test run has never been devised and carried out, at least not in the United States, to determine whether any graphologist can consistently deliver accurate results in the area of character delineation." The second asserts the value of graphology here and now as an assessment technique, making sweeping claims of what it can do. The arguments are essentially incompatible. If the claims are correct, the research is unnecessary; if there is no research evidence, the claims are unsupported. With the need for research to establish the value of graphology as an assessment technique I am in full agreement. I disagree with the claims for its current effectiveness. The article makes a number of cogent points. It distinguishes between the well-established branch of graphology devoted to problems of personal identification and the branch devoted to character analysis; it stresses the need for research studies; it recognizes many of the pitfalls that need be avoided in carrying out such studies; it acknowledges that traditional psychological assessment is preferable to handwriting analysis when direct access to the individual is possible. With these points I am in general agreement.

A little elaboration of all but the first, which is too well established to require comment, may be helpful. Scope of Research In evaluating graphology--or any other assessment technique--not just one, but many studies are required. Studies of agreement among graphologists, the development of objective techniques for measuring characteristics of handwriting, refinements in the methods used, hypotheses such as "small handwriting with closed and knotted o's and a's indicates secretiveness"--all these are useful and interesting, but they do not answer the main question: How well does it in fact predict behavior? Or in the terms psychologists like to use: What is its validity? Studies should therefore be concentrated in this area, a point I stress not in disagreement with Mr. Laycock, but because of its importance. Validation studies in the area of personality assessment are not easy to do. There are many complicating factors--getting a representative sample of persons to participate, getting the same kind of information about each, getting information in sufficiently specific terms on the behavior one is trying to predict. This last problem is recognized by Mr. Laycock as a semantic one. "What is a brave man?" he asks.

If there is no agreement on what a brave man is, there is obviously no means of checking on anyone's assertion that a person is brave. More Pitfalls This semantic problem has another aspect which is often overlooked. It is not hard to write a personality description that applies to the vast majority of people. This "Barnum effect," as it has been called, is one of the charlatan's best friends. Psychologists prepare such descriptions to show their students that a person's agreement with the correctness of a personality description is not proper evidence of the value of any assessment technique. I once capitalized on the Barnum effect when instructing a group of twelve European intelligence officers, most of whom were favorably inclined toward graphology. I asked them for handwriting specimens, and after a suitable interval produced personality descriptions for each of them, which ten of the twelve agreed fit very well. Then they were allowed to discover that I had given them all the same identical description, one I found in a German periodical before I left the States. To demonstrate further the dangers of accepting agreement with a personality description as evidence in favor of any assessment technique, I asked the twelve to describe themselves by answering true or false to a number of personality statements.

All answered true to two of the statements--"You have a tendency to be critical of yourself" and "You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations." And ten answered true to a third statement--"While you have some personality weaknesses, you are generally able to compensate for them." Experimenting thus with a few more questions, one would soon have enough "true" statements to write a full description which every member of a group would agree applied to himself. This kind of demonstration underscores the passages in Mr. Laycock's article which call for specific, objective, and understandable items of behavior as the criterion or yardstick by which the validity of any assessment technique must be judged.

Capabilities of Psychological Assessment "Where full access is possible, a battery of tests, particularly of the real-situation type used in OSS, and a careful study of the subject's past performance and reputation will give as reliable a result as we can expect at this stage of our knowledge of man and yield something like a scientific picture of his inner workings." I take this to mean that direct assessment of the kind done by my staff in the CIA Office of Training is to be preferred over the graphological technique when access to the individual is possible. With this view, of course, I should like to agree wholeheartedly. But this brings me back to the article's claim that "In most cases, competent graphologists can supply reliable estimates on ... disposition to talk too much . . . emotional stability under stress . . . aggressiveness, resistance, and tenacity . . . attitude toward money . . . disposition to deceive . . . inclination toward opportunism . . . desire for power . . . willingness to follow the lead of others . . . rebelliousness . . . rashness" and "reasonably good estimates on ... capacity for abstract thinking and logic . . .

ability to deal with people, powers of observation, imagination" as well as "a good educated guess" about "sex difficulties . . . disposition to engage in criminal activities ... disposition to engage in violence against persons." Even for the extremely thorough assessment process conducted by my staff I would not claim so much. Either our own methods have greater capabilities than we credit them with, or the article errs in conceding the superiority of "direct-access" assessment over handwriting analysis. If evidence can be produced to establish that graphology can do all this, I shall hasten to incorporate it into our assessment process and eliminate much of the interviewing and testing we do. "There are certain things a graphologist can not tell," writes Mr. Laycock. Certainly my list here would be much longer than his. But I am genuinely puzzled by some of the things included in this list, and by the statement that "the graphologist is entitled to know the writer's age, sex, national origin, and profession, since he cannot tell these facts from the specimens, and they are invaluable interpretive aids." I am confused by the inclusion of sex, because there are studies indicating quite clearly that differences in handwriting do exist 1 which permit determination of sex at a better than chance level.

I haven't seen any studies on the other characteristics, but except for exact profession they are the kind of thing I would think might be inferred from handwriting at a little better than chance level. Psychologists are impressed by the difficulty of making predictions about a changing individual in a changing environment. They are very much aware that such predictions can refer only to probabilities. Psychologists desire, therefore, as the core of their assessment process, means and techniques which have been validated by methodical research. Tests of general intellectual ability, of some aptitudes, and of interests, along with information about past behavior, are among these means. New means can be developed only by testing claims for special techniques in the same methodical way. Prospects for Graphology Up until recently the evidence concerning graphology as an assessment technique has been so negative that psychologists generally have preferred to concentrate on techniques that showed more promise. The negative evidence came from studies of graphological tenets equating specific handwriting characteristics, such as upward sloping lines, with specific traits, such as ambition. On the basis of such studies, graphology as a means of assessment has been lumped with astrology, phrenology, and other systems for reading character from physical characteristics such as length of fingers or color of hair.

Handwriting is, however, the product of a person. There is therefore some reason to expect it might tell something about him. This reasoning, fostered by graphology itself as it became concerned with the movements underlying handwriting rather than the handwriting itself, has led to the devising of different kinds of studies. These studies, while not yet convincing, do make it clear that the value of graphology is not yet a closed question. One of the better ones, for example, found that a graphologist trying to infer from handwriting how 50 neurotics would answer 27 questions (1,350 items in all) achieved an accuracy of 62 percent as against the 50 percent to be expected by chance. 2 The graphologist may have been helped by knowing that all were neurotics, and so the 62 percent may be a bit high. Even taking the data at face value, these predictions turned out not much better than chance results; but the study suggests that research in this area might be more worthwhile than many had thought. It also points to the need for more research to pin down just what kinds of things can be predicted and what kinds of things cannot. In Mr.

Laycock's list of things a graphologist can determine is included "important changes in character (by comparison of present with past calligraphies)." Research on change in handwriting over time and under various conditions appears to offer some promise. At least common observation suggests that changes are caused by illness, either physical or mental. At the present time I do not consider the evidence for graphology as an assessment technique sufficiently impressive to include it in assessments for which we have direct access to the individual. I don't sponsor research on it for this purpose as a matter of economics. I have only so many dollars, and I think I will get a better return from other assessment techniques. And even if we did not have access to the individual, I'd still place my bets on investigation of his past behavior, his education, his jobs, social status, income, and so on. It is interesting that graphologists, according to the article, require some of this investigative information (sex, age, national origin, and profession) as a prerequisite for their analysis. They also get the informational content of the handwriting specimens themselves. From these data a number of inferences are already possible.

Consider, for example, the differences in characteristics one might assume with confidence between an age 50 female English secretary and a 21-year-old male German lawyer. I'd be inclined to rely on the implications of this information, and would be extremely cautious in accepting inferences, whatever their source, that were inconsistent with it. The article claims, for example, that "most accountants and bookkeepers can tell you, without even thinking, how a man feels about money by the way he writes a check." I'd rather have the evidence on how he uses his money that can be obtained by looking at his cancelled checks. So, I guess, would the banker, who lends money on investigation of background and permanence of job, not on handwriting analysis. It is dangerous to allow inferences from less well validated information to influence those obtained from valid sources. For the clandestine services, however, graphology as a validated assessment technique might have application in a sufficient number of instances, those where background investigation is impossible, to warrant considerable research to determine its effectiveness. I would like to see these studies start on whatever simple verifiable characteristics graphologists are willing to try. Should these prove successful, studies of more complex traits can be undertaken. I can agree with Mr.

Laycock that the study should cover the abilities of a number of particular graphologists-that graphology may be an art, but certainly is not a science. In my mind there is even the nagging question whether it is a practical art. A problem with an art is that a particular person's skill in applying it may change over time. There is no way of knowing whether a practitioner's predictions a year later will have the same value as those he made when he was tested. It is for this reason that psychologists, as scientists, keep trying to find ways to convert the art of judging people to a science. They try to tease out, objectify, and measure the basis for their predictions, so that the assessment skill can be communicated to others and used reliably with a variety of persons in a variety of situations. Mr. Laycock is greatly concerned with getting some research started. So am I; for until we get more information on the validity of graphology for specific purposes, the differences between his views and mine on graphology as an assessment technique, and my concern over the danger of unwarranted credence in graphological findings, will persist. Psychologists charged with personnel assessment are ready to cooperate in such studies.

Their only requirement is that the research be so conducted that a group of scientists will agree on the kinds of conclusions that can be drawn from it. 1 A. Anastasi & J. P. Foley, Jr., Differential Psychology (Revised edition; New York: Macmillan, 1949) p. 663; C. L. Hull, Aptitude Testing (Yonkers-on-Hudson: World Book Company, 1928) p. 147. 2 H. J. Eysenck, "Graphological Analysis and Psychiatry: An Experimental Study," British Journal of Psychology, 1945, 35, 70-81. SECRET Handwriting Analysis, Graphology, Personality Profile Readings Graphology is the study of handwriting. By analyzing a person's writing, a behavioral profile can be determined to gain insight into physical, mental, and emotional states of the writer. Handwriting reveals the essentials of personality and character. Graphology will help you understand your inner being. Examples. Learn how the experts decipher what your handwriting means. What does your handwriting say about you? Website: Handwriting analysis, graphology, depicts an individual's physiological and psychological functions.

The tactile and visually expressive behavior of writing uniquely fulfills the requirements for a projective personality test. Writing involves a complex neural pathway that dynamically integrates perception, motion, and cognition. This website presents a theoretical basis for correlating graphic expressive elements with behavioral traits. Each graphic indicator specifically describes and defines a characteristic behavior. A systematic training approach is suggested by grouping more than 200 traits by their graphic similarities to illustrate their behavioral nuances. Handwritingpro's Working Papers are designed for both the novice and the expert to record and rate handwriting traits prior to a personality analysis. Using the Working Papers is a simple method to evaluate individual traits found in your handwriting. Handwritingpro offers logical reasons why graphology is an objective, practical, and economical personality test. Handwritingpro supplies graphology's legal status and its limitations. Handwritingpro displays more than a 350-book bibliography with a recommended reading list. Introduction Introduction to Graphology Graphology, sometimes called handwriting analysis, is the study of handwriting with the aim of revealing the character and personality of the writer and his or her strengths, weak­nesses and abilities.

Psychological methods (psychometric tests) have been developed, particularly for industry, to ascertain the person­ality of potential recruits and probe the inner secrets of their characters. These tests are taken by the applicants under supervision, and their answers to specific questions are then evaluated. However, the recruits have to be there in person and may know what is expected of them. Graphology has no such fetters. It can be carried out anywhere, by mailing the candidate’s handwritten letter of application to the grapholo­gist and awaiting his or her report. The candidates will no doubt be aware that their handwriting is being examined and should have no fear of this being done. The assessment must, however, be carried out by a fully experienced analyst who is conversant with the industry concerned and who has a basic understanding of psychology as well as a practical knowledge of people. Handwriting springs from the unconscious and contains a great deal of information which can form the basis of character interpretation. Each time we write we are under the influence of inner feelings and emotions that dictate our mood at the time of writing. Handwriting is, in fact, ‘brain-writing’ which transmits instructions through the motor ner­vous system to the hand holding the pen.

These instructions make the fingers expand and contract to produce writing. This is an expressive movement, a mixture of conscious thought and unconscious automatic responses to stimulation learned as a part of bodily movement. An individual’s hand­writing is as unique as his or her voice pattern and finger­prints: no two are exactly alike. We therefore produce a graphic picture of ourselves every time we put pen to paper, and a graphologist can interpret this picture in terms of personality expression and character – not only the way the writer wishes to be seen, but how he or she really is. Of course a piece of writing can be studied at any time after it has been written, whether after 2 minutes or 200 years, as in the case of historical documents. And since an individual’s personality changes overtime, these changes can be studied in handwriting samples, for instance to help in a biography or in the case of a disputed will. Graphology is a way of fully understanding friends, colleagues and relatives, or indeed anyone whose handwriting you can examine, and of discovering the way they think – whether by logic, intuition or both.

It can also highlight behavioural characteristics such as argumentative tendencies and aggression, an ostentatious manner which perhaps compensates for feelings of inferiority, genuine friendliness and emotional control, conventional habits, manipulation or jealousy, so paving the way for a more rewarding relationship. You may ask, ‘Can anyone be a graphologist?’ The answer is yes, particularly if you are interested in people and have a fair ability for observation and deductive perception. It depends of course upon how deeply you want to go into the subject – whether merely for interest or as a serious study. People will tell you that their handwriting changes. Yes, of course it does: it depends upon how you are feeling at the time of writing – depression, optimism, happiness, anxiety and other emotional states will affect the script slightly. But the basic structure is unlikely to change. If you suspect that it has changed, see another sample of writing written at a time: when the writer was not under the influence of extraor­dinary conditions. A memorandum to oneself or a diary will also look different from a letter of application for a job. And of course, as a person progresses through life, any mental or emotional changes will gradually be reflected in his or her writing over the years.

A ‘copybook’ writer, who adheres to the basic form of letters as taught at school, may say, ‘I write as my teacher did.’ But the teacher will undoubt­edly have been writing copybook forms for clarity rather than as their natural style. You cannot tell, except by intuition, whether a piece of writing is by a man or woman. There are feminine men and masculine women. Age cannot be ascertained through hand­writing either. Some people are mature at an early age while others are still immature at an advanced age. Graphology cannot foretell the future, nor is it a way of telling the writer’s fortune, but it can point to the way they are progressing – or not. Nor will it reveal what the writer actually does as an occupation or profession. It may tell you what they should be doing, but many people are in jobs for which they are not suited while their actual inclinations and abilities lie elsewhere. And, of course, a person’s colour is not evident in his or her script. What does your handwriting say about you? Study finds more than 5,000 personality traits are linked to how we write | Daily Mail Online What does your handwriting say about you?

Study finds more than 5,000 personality traits are linked to how we write People who write letters close together are intrusive and crowd others Illegible signatures mean a person is private and difficult to understand Words or sentences that vary to the rest of the text suggest it is a lie Schizophrenia and high blood pressure can also be identified from writing comments Are you an outgoing, sceptical people pleaser? Or an arrogant, practical person who has a tendency to lie? According to research from the National Pen Company in the U.S., your handwriting can give away clues about 5,000 different personality traits based on the way you space your letters, how you sign your name, and even how you connect the letter 'o' and 's' to other letters in a word. It can even be used to identify potential health problems including schizophrenia, high blood pressure as well as how much energy you have. Scroll down for the full infographic According to the National Pen Company in the U.S., the size of someone's handwriting can determine the type of personality they have.

People with small handwriting tend to be shy, studious and meticulous, whereas outgoing people who love attention will have larger handwriting People who leave large gaps between words enjoy their freedom and don't like to be crowded, while people who write words close together can't stand to be alone and might be intrusive The process of analysing handwriting is called graphology. It is classed as a pseudoscientific because there are debates about how accurate it can be at determining psychological and even physical attributes. Some companies use graphology during recruitment processes and the methods have also been used in court cases. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share The research carried out by the National Pen Company brought together a range of graphology studies to create its infographic. According to the graphic, the size of someone's handwriting can determine the type of personality they have. People with small handwriting tend to be shy, studious and meticulous, whereas outgoing people who love attention will have larger handwriting. The type of looping created by the letters 'l' and 'e' can suggest a person's nature, for example, wide loops means someone is relaxed and spontaneous as well as open minded.

People who write narrow loops tend to be skeptical of others and may restrict themselves from certain activities, which causes feelings of tension If the dot of a letter is situated high above the base it suggests the writer has a great imagination. If the dot is close to the base, they are organised and empathetic. Procrastinators tend to dot their 'i's and 'j's to the left of the base letter, while child-like personality types will draw their dots as circles Long crosses on 't's suggests someone who is determined and enthusiastic, but also stubborn. Short crosses tend to be written by someone who is lazy If handwriting is an average size - in that the top of the letters sit just below the centre of line - the writer is well-adjusted and adaptable. Moving onto the spacing of words, people who leave large gaps between words enjoy their freedom and don't like to be crowded, while people who write words close together can't stand to be alone and might be intrusive. If handwriting slants to the right the person is open to new experiences and enjoy meeting new people. If handwriting slants to the left, that person tends to keep themselves to themselves. People whose handwriting doesn't slant in either direction are logical and practical.

Personality traits are also identifiable by the way individual letters are written. People who write rounded letters are more creative and artistic while pointed letters are a sign of aggression or intelligence. Connected letters mean the writer is logical. People who specifically write rounded lowercase 's' letters are people pleasers, although if the bottom is too wide, they're not following their heart in something According to the graphic, the type of looping created by the letters 'l' and 'e' can suggest a person's nature, for example, wide loops means someone is relaxed and spontaneous as well as open minded. Alternatively, people who write narrow loops tend to be skeptical of others and may restrict themselves from certain activities, which causes feelings of tension. The way people dot their 'i's and cross their 't's can also be a personality indicator. If the dot of the letter is situated high above the base it suggests the writer has a great imagination. If the dot is close to the base, they are organised and empathetic. Procrastinators tend to dot their 'i's and 'j's to the left of the base letter, while child-like personality types will draw their dots as circles.

People who place heavy pressure on the pen when they write, which causes darker, thicker handwriting are good with commitment and taking things seriously. Light-handed writers tend to be empathetic and sensitive but lack vitality. If someone writes quickly they are impatient while and slower writers are more methodical Slashes used in the place of dots mean the writer doesn't have patience for inadequacy or are overly self-critical and are annoyed by people who don't learn from their mistakes. Long crosses on 't's suggests someone who is determined and enthusiastic, but also stubborn. Short crosses tend to be written by someone who is lazy. People who write rounded letters are more creative and artistic while pointed letters are a sign of aggression or intelligence. Connected letters mean the writer is logical. When people write the letter 'o' with a loop or hole at the top of the letter, it means they are talkative and sociable, while closed 'o's indicate someone who is private. Similarly, a rounded lowercase 's' means the writer is a people pleaser, but if the rounded bottom is too wide it suggests they may not be following their heart either in their career or other pursuits.

People who place heavy pressure on the pen when they write, which can cause darker, thicker handwriting, are good with commitment and taking things seriously but don't respond well to criticism. Light-handed writers tend to be empathetic and sensitive but lack vitality. Illegible signatures, left, are a sign that the writer is private and hard to read. More legible signatures, right, are a sign of confidence If handwriting slants to the right, the writer is open to new experiences. If handwriting slants to the left, that person tends to keep themselves to themselves If someone writes quickly they are impatient and dislike delays or time wasters, and slower writers are more methodical and self reliant. The graph also claims that a person's health can be identified from their handwriting, for example, people with high blood pressure tend to have writing that is sometimes heavy and dark, and at other times light. Schizophrenics tend to have writing that switches direction in the way that it slants, between left and right, and this is supposedly a sign of a person 'not having continual contact with reality'. One of the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease is very small cramped handwriting, known as micrographia.

Handwriting with heavy pressure is also a sign of high energy levels, whereas light pressure is a sign of tiredness. In other tests, writing the capital letter 'I' much larger than other capitals is usually written by someone who is arrogant and have a high opinion of themselves. Writing that changes dramatically over the course of a text is symbolic of lying. What does your handwriting say about you? Graphology : Study of Handwriting based on size and level of writing and Significance of Angle Finer Significance of Angle/ Slant Graphology is the study of a person's character through the medium of handwriting. The study of handwriting is based on a general style of writing, the formation of letters, the alignment and space between words and lines etc. Through this study, we can get an idea of a person's character, mentality and attitude towards a particular field of profession, and much more. Understanding Graphology Your handwriting develops right from childhood. When you write, your pen is under the control of the muscles of your fingers, hands and arm. All these body parts are under the control of your mind. The manner in which the words are eventually formed by the pen must bear a direct relationship to the mind that guides their formation.

Each vibration of movement is unconsciously directed by the brain, so we can judge the mental state of the writer. It is a guide to the will power, intellect and emotions of a person. For an accurate analysis, written text should have been written in a natural manner and the effort should not be deliberate. The best samples are business letters or notes. What Facilitates Analysis A study of the following facilitates analysis :- The size of the letters. The style of writing based on lines. The spacing of lines and words. Letter formation. The angle or slant of writing. It's also important to know the age and educational standards of the writer. Obviously an old man's hand will be shaky when you compare his writing to a relatively younger person. The interpretation of the writing or the written script is common for both men and women. Analysis Based on Size of Letters The size of the letters is indicative of the following:- Very Small Writing: Tiny writing indicates the artistic nature of the writer. People with this style go into the details of whatever they are doing. Generally they specialise in a particular field. They have an aim in life and do not waste either time or energy. Small Size Writing: This indicates an intellectual and scholarly person with a keen sense of observation.

These people are meticulous and methodical and are destined to do well in life. Medium / Average Sized Letters: This is characteristic of a methodical and well-balanced person with a healthy mind. They are suited to business rather than service. Worldly-wise, they can grasp things quickly and well despite being relatively less educated. Large Sized Letters: They show an active and restless mind. People with this handwriting are large hearted, self reliant and can influence others quickly. Very talkative, if they concentrate more on themselves, they can succeed easily. Very Large or Huge Lettering: People like these feel that they are important. They cannot face criticism and therefore are definitely successful. Constant / Same Size of Letters: This is indicative of a methodical mind. Decrease in Size of Letters: Writing like this indicates a great level of cunning. Increase in Size of Letters: Handwriting that gets larger indicates great frankness. Analysis Based on Level of Writing Straight Lines: If lines are straight, the person has will power and determination. If they are absolutely straight, the person could be rigid. If a little irregular, the person has skill in many fields or has the capability to acquire one or more.

Downward Slant: A downward slant is indicative of a dismal outlook. These people are pessimistic, moody and gets discouraged easily. If the writing has a prominent down ward slant, then they should be cautious because they can be foolish. They may try to get others sympathy by expressing this quality. If a person is not well physically and his or her writing has an extreme downward slant, it is not a good sign. It should be taken as a warning. Upward Slant: People who write this way are usually ambitious. They are also optimistic. If your handwriting has an upward slant, you probably can talk a lot, could be over-confident and sometimes unreliable. If the slant has a slight upward trend, then it is a good sign. If the slant is very steep, all these qualities are exaggerated. Irregular Lines: If the lines go upwards, but only towards the end of a sentence, particularly near the bottom of the page, they indicate a strong personality. Such people are courageous even in adversity. Falling Lines: If at the end of a line and at the bottom of a page, your lines fall, it means you get irritated and worried easily. You are weak and prone to stress.

Dipped Lines: Lines which dip in the centre and rise again later indicate a half-hearted approach to work. People with such a hand start on work half-heartedly, with no purpose. Later they get enthusiastic and finish the task well. Humped Lines: These are lines that rise in the centre like a hump and then dip once again. These people start work enthusiastically but soon get discouraged and leave the task mid way. The significance of spacing Line Spacing: This is an important aspect of hand writing analysis. It proves how important it is for the analyst to have a number of samples of a person's writing to provide an accurate judgment of an individual's personality traits. Close Spacing: If the lines are very close to each other and have no space in between, they show a confused personality with diverse thoughts crowding the mind. Average Spacing: These people are never in a hurry. They are casual and clear in thought, and in their day- to -day behaviour. They are well balanced and fair in their dealings. Wide Spacing: Many famous personalities possess this type of spacing. They are methodical careful and intelligent. Overall these are people with strong character. Connected Writing: When the letters of each word are connected it is called connected writing.

These people are firm, bold, clear, and are positive attitude. They work in a refined way and are perfectionists. It is the mark of an outright sceptic. Broken Writing: Here, a few letters are disconnected. This type of writing indicates an ability to judge human character. Their writing looks rhythmic and signifies a fine flow of thought and interspersed with quick inspirational touches. It is indeed the writing of intelligent people. Disconnected Writing: Here every letter is separate. These people live in dreams and have a poetic mind. Inevitably, this is a person who loves art and nature. Do not confuse this handwriting with printed letters. Cramped Writing: When the words are cramped they indicate people who are extremely expressive. Those with this type of writing are cautions about money matters, bargain a great deal and are suspicious by nature. Spaced Writing: When words are very far apart, they belong to people who expressive but extravagant. Exhibitionists, they are socially active and fond of good life. They can never be systematic and are usually spend thrift. They forget things easily and should be careful in money matters. Some Finer Points of Judgement/Analysis Based On Letter Formation. Rounded Letter: Writing of this type has rounded formations.

It seems as if the writer has written in comfort and at leisure. These people are lazy, luxurious, and hate to do hard work. They have all the time in the world to chat but still think that they are busy. However, they are also peace- loving, law-abiding and crave the better things in life. Block Writing: These letters are plain simple and unadorned. The writing is straight. People of this type are hard-working, meticulous and practical. They are generally busy and are reserved by nature. Angular Writing: This is distinguished from 'Block' and 'Round' types of writing. People who write this way are full of energy and life. They want to lead people but are aggressive and desire quick results. They do not take criticism well. If the writing is too angular it shows a person as money-minded. If moderately angular the writer could be wise, loving and experienced. Single Letters: If the size of the letter does not change, it indicates that a person is very careful and conscious. These people never neglect their duties and are careful to finish whatever task is assigned to them. They are usually absorbed in the minutest details of any work that they undertake.

Irregular Letters: Writing of this type is full of large and small letters. These people are rarely reliable and could be fickle. They take the most convenient route to anything. Small to Large Letters: Writing of this type indicates restrained behaviour. These people are eager to express themselves, work hard and want to get success through honest means. Large to Small Letters: This shows a tactful and friendly nature. People like this make good use of their connections. They are fair in all their dealings. Finer Significance of Angle/Slant One of the most important aspects of graphology is the angle or slant of a person's writing. This needs special study since the variations though minimal, are significant. If a slant is at 60 to 70 degrees, it shows the person as sensitive, emotional and imaginative. They get aggressive at the slightest provocation and have an intense nature. One should be very careful when dealing with them, since they get excited very quickly. If the slant is at 70 to 80 degrees, these people are very generous and very kind. They can make others happy and this helps them build careers. They share their happiness with others.

A slant of 80 to 90 degrees is very common. This style is widely used and has a slight tilt towards the right. It indicates a cordial nature and a friendly attitude towards others. These people are genuine and usually take things easy. It is not difficult to manage people of this kind. If the slant is right-angled at 90 degrees, it shows a selfish nature. These people are analytic and unemotional, but could also be sincere and reliable. They always recognise obligations and hence prove good friends. If the slant is at 100 degrees, it indicates that the person remembers all the good and bad things that have happened in the past. It shows a nature that is suppressed and controlled, and which therefore could collapse when faced with problems and difficulty. If the slant is at 120 degrees, the person is cold and self-centred, and has no respect or regard towards others.

Question: Graphology is the study of what?
Answer: HANDWRITING