Graphology
ALTERNATVE NAME/S: Hand-writing analysis
DETAILS/DESCRIPTION: Graphology is the study of an individual’s personality, character, and make-up through the interpretation of their handwriting. The theory behind graphology is that the way an individual writes expresses their personality, and so analysis of the way the letters and words are formed can reveal various character traits. Detailed analysis is given to the way the letters slant, the size of the letters, the angles and curves, and the pressure of upward and downward strokes.
The idea that handwriting could be analyzed was first introduced in 1622 by Camillo Baldi, an Italian scholar who published a book of observations on the subject called “How to recognize from a letter the nature and quality of a writer.”
In 1875, Jen Hippolyte Michon introduced the term “graphology” and associated hundreds of graphic writing signs with specific personality traits.
However, it wasn’t until 1917 that modern graphology was introduced by Ludvig Klages*, a psychologist, philosopher, and characterologist. He developed an approach to graphology that made interpretations of personality based on an overall impression of a person’s handwriting.
Graphology is often used today for compatibility matching in personal and professional situations. It is also used in therapy and in child and family guidance.
ONELINER: Graphology
OTHER CONNECTIONS: [Alfred Binet], who created the IQ test, was convinced to conduct research into graphology from 1893 to 1907. He called it "the science of the future" despite rejection of his results by graphologists.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Encyclopedia Britannica