Psych Buster Chapter 13 Personality By Chloe Foster

Psych Buster: Chapter 13, Personality By: Chloe Foster

The Statement: “Your handwriting is a strong indicator of your personality. ”

The Study of Handwriting: There happens to be a scientific term to go with exactly what we’ll be investigating in this powerpoint. Graphology, is the study of handwriting.

The History of Graphology: ● The first book that had to do with handwriting related to character was published in 1622 by Camillo Baldi. ● He was an Italian doctor and professor of medicine, as well as a philosopher. ● He is known as the father of graphology. Monument to Baldi in the courtyard of the Archiginnasio in Bologna

More About Graphology: ● Graphology is a theory or practice for inferring a person's character, disposition, or attitude based on their handwriting. ● To many people, graphology is considered a pseudoscience. However, before I fall fault to the majority, I want to look more into it.

Three Different Types: There are three different types, or approaches, of graphology. 1. Integrative 2. Holistic 3. Symbolic

1. The Integrative Approach: ● Specific stroke structures relate to personality traits. ● Most of the systems under this, use a cluster of stroke formations. ● Systems Based off This Approach: fixed Signs, trait stroke, French System, and Graphoanalysis.

2. The Holistic Approach: ● Based on the form, movement, and space of writing. ● Legibility also has a place in this approach. ● Systems Based off This Approach: psychogram, psychograph, personal worth chart, and the Wittlich Character Diagram.

3. The Symbolic Approach: ● Looks for symbols in the handwriting. ● Can be a major or minor symbol. ● Major- The meaning of the stroke as it relates to the page. ● Minor- The meaning of the stroke depending on the picture that the stroke draws. ● Systems: Holistic Graphology and Integrative Graphology

Three Main Indicators: In addition to three approaches, there also three main indicators used when looking at handwriting. 1. Pressure 2. Shape of Strokes 3. Slant of Writing

1. The Pressure Used ● The pressure of the writing helps to indicate the intensity of the emotion of the writer. ● The heavier the pressure, the more intense the emotion. ● Likewise, the lighter the pressure, the less intense the emotion is.

2. The Shape of the Strokes ● Angular = Aggressive behavior and high levels of energy ● Circular = Easygoing and Agreeable ● Irregular Strokes = Relaxed and Artistic ● Square = Practicality

3. The Slant of the Writing: ● ● Slant Forward = Emotionally Expressive Slant Vertically = Withdraws from Emotions Upward Slants = Optimism Downward Slants = Exhaustion or low energy levels

A Self Test: ● Graphologist Kathi Mc. Knight introduces many novices to the handwriting world. ● She has a simple test that she gives to her students in order to get started. ● Kathi has each student write, in cursive, the sentence “She sells seashells by the seashore. ”

The Results: ● The Slant~ Right = Open to world and likes to socialize Left = Likes to work alone or undetected None = Logical and practical

More Results: ● The Size~ Large = Big personality and outgoing Small = Good concentration and shy Average = Well-adjusted and adaptable

Even More Results: ● The Loops~ Closed for L = Restricting yourself Full for L = Spontaneous and relaxed Closed for E = Skeptical and unswayed Full for E = Open mind and like new things

Last Bit of Results: ● The “S”~ Round = People pleaser and avoid confrontation Pointy = Intellectual and ambitious Open at the Bottom = Don’t follow your heart Printed = Versatile

What Do the Results Tell Us? ● I did the test and although some of the results were spot on to my personality, others were very off. ● The test may be able to tell a graphologist a little about a person, but it can’t provide definite answers.

An interesting Look at “t”: or ● Consider the lowercase letter “t” ● Graphologists believe that the vertical stem of “t” represents goals ● The horizontal bar indicates the potential to accomplish the goals ● Higher bar = goals set high ● Lower bar = goals set lower than potential

Graphology Applied in Life: Graphology is used in three main categories that are related to everyday life. Each category can also be related to a job or career. 1. Compatibility Issues - Psychologist 2. Human Relations - Marriage Counselor 3. Legal Matters - Detective or Police

In Conclusion: ● Graphology has its place in careers, but that place is minor at most. ● When it comes right down to it, it’s not as plausible as it’s cracked up to be. ● It may be able to detect some characteristics of a writer, but sadly it really does fall into the pseudoscience category.

D E T S U B *

Citations: ➔ "Graphology. " Health Source. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. ➔ "Graphology. " Types Of Healing RSS. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. ➔ "Graphology. " Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2014 ➔ "Handwriting Analysis - Interpretation and Approaches. " Handwriting Analysis - Interpretation and Approaches. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. ➔ "International Handwriting Analysis Society. " International Handwriting Analysis Society. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. ➔ "Related Materials. " Graphology, Handwriting Analysis. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. ➔ "What Does Your Handwriting Say About You? " Real Simple. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.