Graphology

Graphology, also known as handwriting analysis, is the study of handwriting to infer personality traits, abilities, or psychological states. It has been used in areas such as personnel selection, clinical assessment, and criminology, but it is distinct from forensic handwriting examination, which focuses on authenticating documents.

Practitioners analyze features of handwriting such as pressure, slant, size, spacing, baseline stability, speed, rhythm, and letter shapes. They may combine these observations with biographical or contextual information to propose a personality profile. There is no single universal method; various schools interpret and weigh features differently.

Origins of graphology date to 19th-century Europe, with early contributors such as Jean Hippolyte Michon, and later developments by figures including Ludwig Klages and others. Over time the field has produced a range of systems, and modern practitioners may adapt techniques to different settings, from clinical to vocational contexts.

Reception and validity: The scientific status of graphology is controversial. It is regarded by many researchers as lacking reliable evidence of validity or reliability. Systematic reviews have found limited or inconsistent support for correlations between handwriting features and personality. As a result, many professional and regulatory bodies discourage using graphology as a primary basis for employment decisions or clinical diagnosis; when used, it is typically as a supplementary, non-definitive tool, with appropriate ethical safeguards.