Graphology: What Your Handwriting Says About You

Graphology is defined as a technique used to study human psychological traits, using the types and selections of their handwriting. Selections of the manuscript and individual signatures are randomly analyzed. This can provide experts with information about personality traits or their emotional state at the time it was written. It is also used to prove the authenticity of the authorship of a piece of text.

We all have a certain way of writing. Our letters can be scolded from others. True characteristic differences  exist. It is a kind of fingerprint as it is almost impossible for two people naturally to have the same character traits.

Even if we deliberately try to change it, we will find it very difficult to hide the way we write; the one who comes so naturally to us. This makes graphology very useful in some legal cases to clarify the origin of various crimes. And handwriting also reveals certain personal traits that can be judged by experts.

Characteristic features to keep an eye on

Graphology focuses on 8 characteristic features that provide different information:

• Size: self-perception and self-esteem.
• The inclination of the letters: emotional health, initiative, ability to reflect on things and the tendency to use intuition or logic.
• Form: cultural level, intellectual level, the person’s aesthetic sense.
• Pressure: vitality and health.
• Speed: mental agility, IQ.
• The direction of the lines: emotional state.
• Compound or separated letters: communication, emotional health, way of relating to others.
• Dots over the i’s: focus and precision.

Thanks to such a detailed analysis of the characteristic features of the manuscript , graphologists are able to develop a profile. In addition, they take into account other factors, such as the use of capital letters, margin and signature.

Personal traits via handwriting

This analysis of personal traits is based on projective techniques, which assume that handwriting reveals unconscious conditions in our behavior. When one thinks of Carl Jung’s model with the 5 overall personality traits, different forms of handwriting can point to one or more characteristic traits.

• Being open to new experiences (Factor O): this trait indicates creativity and flexibility. Disorganized and disproportionate handwriting, extreme pressure, fast and increasing can all point to this trait.
• Responsibility (Factor C): indicates a high level of willingness to compromise, someone who is disciplined, punctual and thoughtful. The handwriting that points towards this character trait is clear, proportionate, organized and with medium to small letters.

• Extroversion / introversion (Factor E): people who are very extroverted, are social, talkative and confident. The handwriting that characterizes this trait is clear, large, increasing and composed. On the other hand, the introvert’s handwriting tends to be focused, small, simple typography, calm and with a light touch.
• Kindness (Factor A): A person who is respectful, tolerant and calm. The handwriting normally used in this character trait is clear, easy to read, organized, large, with medium print and slowly increasing.
• Emotional Stability (Factor N): Takes care of problems calmly and resolutely. The handwriting that can indicate emotional stability is organized, precise, compact, angular, slow, with hard pressure, straight and at continuous intervals.

But we must keep in mind that even though these are guidelines for making an analysis, only an expert can make conclusive observations. 

Signatures and initials in graphology

A signature is personal and incomparable. It contains characteristic features that are very difficult to mimic completely. Our signature is our seal of identity, and according to experts, it can provide a lot of information about our personality. The fact that we do not one hundred percent choose our own signature may contribute to the fact that it possesses certain elements that tell us how we are as a person.

One of the most important characteristics when analyzing a signature is whether the name is easy to read or not. If it can be read quite clearly, this may indicate that the person has clear goals, is responsible, has high self-esteem and is balanced. If signatures are difficult to read, this may indicate that the person is restless, impatient and avoids responsibility.

A signature that cannot be decoded at all indicates that a person has difficulty accepting authorities and does not understand their actions. It also matters  how quickly the signature is written. Doing so quickly can be someone who does not like to wait, is impatient and would rather finish things quickly. A slower handwriting is more characteristic of someone who is more thoughtful.

Different ways to apply graphology

This discipline can be used in many different professional areas. In the field of psychology, it is used as a tool that together with others can help develop a psychological profile of the client. In medical science, it can be used for early detection of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s.

It can be useful in the field of education. Learning challenges, such as dyslexia, can be observed through handwriting analysis. In the legal field, it can be used to analyze suicide notes, determine who committed the crime or observe if there are any violent or suspicious traits.

Graphology is being used more and more. Judges demand to see more expert reports  to reveal personal traits or aggressive and violent tendencies.