6 Common Concerns About Handwriting Analysis: The Truth Revealed

Handwriting analysis is the scientific investigation of
handwriting to determine personality characteristics.

Although handwriting analysis is gaining in popularity,
many misconceptions exist about this complex form of
personality analysis.

Below we address six common concerns about
handwriting analysis:

Concern:
“If behavioral scientists had found it to be a valid
tool, then they would have done so by now and it would
be commonly used.”

Answer:
Human behavioral studies involving handwriting
analysis exist and it has been found to be a valid
tool. More than 200 scientific papers have been
published in non-graphological peer-reviewed
publications in the last 58 years:
http://tinyurl.com/4cx3nf

Also, handwriting analysis is already commonly used
in the workplace (and elsewhere) at this time,
although it is more popular in Europe than it is
in America.

Concern:
“As a candidate for a job, I want to be considered
due to my experience and talent, not the results
of some examination of my signature.”

Answer:
Your signature (and how it relates to the rest of
your script) is only part of what is analyzed. At
least a half page handwriting sample is best to
properly analyze handwriting.

We and other respected professionals advise
employers to hire based on a person’s experience,
talent, and the results of personality testing
methods, which indicate whether someone has the
mindset for a particular job. We recommend the
use of a range of evaluations (e.g., graphology
in conjunction with other psychological testing
methods), in addition to the interview to
determine a person’s fit for the demands of any
particular job.

As we say on our handwriting sample forms,
“Decisions will not be made based only on the
results of the graphological analysis, but in
conjunction with the interview process,
decision-maker observations, and other
information.”

Concern:
“What if 10 different handwriting analysts
interpret a person’s script 10 different ways?
Isn’t there a problem with interpretation?”

Answer:
We recommend employers hire well-trained
graphologists, such as those who have earned
certification from a respected handwriting
analysis school. In doing so, the problem of
varying interpretations is eliminated.

Concern:
“How does a person’s handwriting tell you ‘this
person can or can’t do the job?’ This does not
seem like a reasonable tool to help make hiring
decisions.”

Answer:
First, through the complex coordination of
physical body, the nervous system, and mind
function, you express yourself in your writing
like no one else. Handwriting is called an
expression of your true self because it has been
shown to directly link to subconscious character,
the real personality behind the public persona.
It’s really mind-writing and it’s as unique as
your fingerprints. Even twins have different
fingerprints and they also have different
handwriting, sometimes drastically different,
if you delve into the hundreds of indicators
used for a comprehensive analysis.

Handwriting analysis doesn’t directly predict
the success of a job applicant. However, it does
provide information about whether or not the
applicant is a match for the job based on the
job description. Motivations (e.g., social
involvement, recognition, m.oney, etc.), intellect,
work habits, communication skills, and emotional
foundation are some common areas of
assessment.

There are many personality traits that aren’t
easy to measure by talking to an applicant,
reviewing their resume, and having them take
standard personality evaluations. Handwriting
analysis is so valuable because it assesses
subconscious character, the actual personality,
aside from the one presented or witnessed when
an individual is at their best. It goes beyond
evaluating an applicant just for the job tasks.

Handwriting analysis is particularly useful in
determining specific personality traits needed
for a job, such as consistency, flexibility,
sincerity, emotional maturity, ability to make
distinctions, decision-making ability, analytical
ability, problem solving ability, ability to
cope with stress, objectivity, and much more.

Concern:
“What if handwriting analysis exposes a
questionable personality dynamic that you
wouldn’t see demonstrated on the job, that is
totally unrelated to the position? I’d be
concerned that this is an invasion of my
privacy.”

Answer:
Established legal precedents exist in relation
to handwriting analysis. One U.S. court ruled
that your script is “behavior in public” and that
using it as the foundation of personality
evaluation can’t be viewed as an invasion of
privacy. U.S. vs. Hazelwood School District 534
F 2nd 805 states that graphology is “not
precluded in hiring if it is related to the job.”

Invasion of privacy hinges on the expectation
of privacy, which vanishes when you fill out a
job application in your handwriting and
acknowledge that the employer will read it. Also,
employers understand (e.g., through performance
agreements, such as the one we use) that only the
employer’s decision-makers (i.e., your interviewer,
etc.), those supervisory personnel who have a
“need to know,” are entitled to see the results
of the analysis. The contents of each profile is
kept confidential, as per the client-analyst
agreement.

Besides, no ethical handwriting analyst would
tell your prospective employer about your
possible early-life s.exual abuse, for example,
because it’s not directly related to the job. It’s
the responsibility of the graphologist to focus
exclusively on personality traits required for
optimum job performance, i.e., identify
personality strengths and challenges related to
the job position.

Concern:
“The majority of adults entering the workforce
today can’t even write. It’s becoming an obsolete
skill due to computers.”

Answer:
Although people aren’t writing as much as they
used to due to computers, we believe almost
everyone can still write, even those who just
graduated from high school. Even if they use
only printing and not cursive, their script can
still be analyzed. It’s very doubtful the ability
to write will become totally obsolete.

We recommend handwriting analysis as one of the
most effective forms of personality analysis in
existence.

Scott Petullo
http://www.scottpetullo.com

Stephen Petullo
http://www.holisticmakeover.com

Copyright © Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo

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