Handwriting Analysis- What is it?

Handwriting analysis, or graphology, is the science involved in producing a personality profile of the writer by examining the characteristics, traits and strokes of an individual's handwriting. I know it seems impossible, but a trained graphologist can gather an astonishing amount of information about the writer just from analyzing their handwriting. Besides creating a complete personality profile, many other things are revealed in your handwriting, such as health issues, morality, past experiences, hidden talents, mental problems-- to name just a few.

How it works

Your brain guides your hand. Everything put on paper is a result of a two-way circuit between your brain and the motor reflex muscles of your hand. Thus, your handwriting becomes a Polygraph or Oscilloscope read-out of your "complete self." To you, it's just handwriting, but to a handwriting analyst, it paints a picture of the person "behind the pen."

How to Begin

When analyzing writing style, first look at the handwriting in general, much like you would a painting. Make mental notes of the most outstanding traits and try to get a general feeling of the writer. (After 20 years of experience I can usually put the writer in a category right away.) Then, determine the emotional energy of the writer. This is the most important factor of the personality of the writer. The emotional energy has a direct impact on every other trait displayed in the handwriting. Emotional energy is determined by how much pressure the writer uses when he writes. If you examine the writing you can determine how much pressure was used by how "dark" the writing is. Also, if you turn the page over and feel the underside you can feel how much pressure was used (especially if the sample was written on a soft surface).

Emotional energy is a combination of the physical and mental energy level. Writers with heavy pressure are usually highly successful. They have a lot of vitality and their emotional experiences last for a long time. Writers who write with average pressure are usually moderately successful and usually have enough energy to make it through the day. Those with light pressure try to avoid energy draining situations.

The Slant of the Writing; What Does it Mean?

The slant is the second indicator to look for. The slant indicates the writers emotional response to external forces. A right slant (////) signals one who responds strongly to emotional situations. They are caring, warm and outgoing-- their heart rules their mind. A vertical slant (llll) writer tries to keep their emotions in check-- mind rules their heart. A left slant writer (\\\\) will conceal their emotions and is observed as cold and indifferent.

Putting it Together.

Now let's mix some of these traits and see what we come up with.

1. A writer with heavy pressure and a vertical slant.Heavy pressure= strong emotions and vertical slant= trying to hold emotions back. This writer is usually the one who keeps his wits about him. When "all hell breaks loose," his head rules. He will not be as emotionally responsive as a right slant writer and will "keep cool". This "heavy pressure-vertical slant" writer won't be able to keep his cool all of the time. When his emotions get the best of him he may "fly off the handle" at unpredictable times.

2. A person with light pressure writing (not much emotional or physical energy) and a left slant (tries to avoid emotional situations). This person will be emotionally withdrawn, cold, indifferent and self centered.

There are many steps involved in creating a complete personality profile. Using these first two steps you can begin to put together your own "profile" which can be useful in both personal and professional relationships.

Steps 3 & 4: Looking into Emotional Control, Reliability and Concentration.

Last time we covered emotional and physical energy, which is indicated by the pressure applied to the pen when you write. We also covered emotional response to external forces, indicated by the slant of the handwriting.

Emotional Control and Reliability

The next step is to determine the emotional control and reliability of the writer. This trait is shown in the baseline of the writing.

The baseline is a real or imagined line where the small letters rest.Baseline is best determined if the sample is submitted on unlined paper to ensure that the writer does not follow the pre-printed lines. For best results, handwriting analysts always prefer samples written on unlined paper.

The baseline can be straight, wavy, erratic or sloped. A normal baseline should be slightly wavy. A person with a straight baseline is tense and over disciplined. A very wavy baseline signals a person who is on an emotional roller coaster.

An ascending baseline means optimism. A descending baseline means pessimism, tiredness or depression. A level baseline indicates a healthy balance between optimism and pessimism.

The following is a sample of Charles Manson's handwriting. Notice that baseline is very wavy, indicating a person whose emotions are unstable and out of control.

 Concentration

Step 4 in handwriting analysis determines the writers ability to concentrate. This trait is indicated by the size of the writing. Small writing points to someone who has the ability to concentrate on minor details for long periods of time. They are not easily distracted by outside forces. These writers include scientists, researchers, bookkeepers, etc. People who write small like to work alone. They can be trusted to take on tedious tasks and follow them through to completion without being side tracked. Those who write small are usually conservative and thrifty.

Most of us write average size, indicating an average ability to concentrate. We have to force ourselves to concentrate on minor details, especially for long periods of time. Large writers are easily distracted. They have trouble concentrating and easily get "off-track." At work, these individuals should be given varying duties and assignments that are quick to complete.

Here is a sample of Albert Einstein's handwriting, actual size.

Get a pen and paper and try to write this small. You will feel your whole body go tense as you concentrate on making the small letters. I have examined this sample with a magnifying glass and every letter is shaped perfectly. It is a beautiful piece of art.

Putting it all Together

So far, we have covered:

Emotional and physical energy (pressure applied when writing)

Slant of writing ...\\\.....lll../// (indicates what the writer does with this emotional and physical energy)

Emotional control and emotional reliability (baseline)

Ability to concentrate (size of writing)

Now let's take a look at Sample 1, below:

The writer uses heavy pressure, pointing to a person with deep, long-lasting emotions. The right slant indicates the writer responds freely with these emotions (heart rules the mind). The writing is large and indicates that the writer has trouble concentrating on tedious tasks and is easily distracted. The baseline is only slightly wavy, revealing no inner emotional turmoil.

This is a friendly outgoing person with a lot of energy. This person needs variety and lots of activity. The emotional stability of the baseline indicates s/he is reliable and dependable.

On to Sample 2:

The writers pressure and size if writing is average, indicating s/he usually has enough energy to handle daily activities. Emotional response is slightly inhibited (vertical writing) indicating the head rules the heart. Average size of script shows the ability to concentrate on daily activities without being distracted too much by what's going on around him/her. The baseline is wavy indicating changeable moods- sometimes in a good mood, sometimes not. The wavy baseline is common in vertical writing because people who try to control their emotions have a certain amount of inner emotional turmoil

Step 5: THE THREE ZONES OF HANDWRITING.

There are three zones to examine in handwriting. These zones reflect imagination and desires.

The upper zone reveals intellectual thought, abstract thinking, daydreaming, psychic abilities, and imagination. The upper zone indicates philosophical imagination.

The middle zone deals with the day to day aspects of life, like home, family, paying the bills, work and social concerns. The middle zone points to our approach to daily life.

The lower zone emphasizes physical and material drives such as physical abilities, sex drive, appetite, and the desire for material wealth. The lower zone reveals activities essential to survival.

Concerns in all areas.

Intellectual thinker-

Day to day concerns.

Physical and material drives.

This information provides us with another key to the writer's personality. The zones indicate three different areas of thought and are dependent on emotional energy (pressure or force applied while writing), as well as how much or how hard the writer concentrates in these areas.

Look at the "l" in log. Consider the baseline reality. When the writer left the baseline (reality ), he went the upper zone, grasped an idea, and returned to reality. There are many things realized in the upper zone-- ambition, goals, philosophical and abstract thinking and

daydreaming. Now imagine this "l" written just as high but having a thinner loop. This writer is considered a quick thinker. The writer with the fatter loop is a slower methodical thinker, but when he was in the upper zone he stayed longer, realizing more, which tends to make him more creative.

Now look at the "o." The "o" is in the mid zone which concerns daily activities. If the "o" was written thin ( not round but skinny), the writer would be narrow minded. If mid zone letters are very fat the writer worries too much.

Now, observe the lower loop in "g". Lower loop letters concern desires for material wealth, sex, appetite, and physical drives. This works the same as upper loops-- the fatter the loop, the more the desire. The thinner the loop, the less the desire. Lower loop letters ( y g p f) indicate desires in different areas. The "y" represents sex drive and money. The "g" (gregarious), socializing and sexual fantasy. The "p" (physical), a fat "p" loop points to someone who does not mind hard work.

Putting it all Together

Using what we have learned so far we can analyze Bill Clinton's handwriting.

 The pressure is very heavy. This usually indicates greater accomplishments. Heavy pressure writers' emotions are very strong and long lasting. Bill may be inclined to hold grudges and he will not quickly forget the actions of his friends or enemies. His pressure will amplify all other traits found in his writing.

The slant is vertical. He tries not to show his emotions. He makes decisions based on logic, not emotions (his head rules his heart). Anyone who holds back their emotions makes a conscious effort to do so, causing a certain amount of stress and inner turmoil. Bill's baseline is also very straight, indicating even more control over his emotions. These emotions buildup over time and have to be released.

Bill concentrates on the middle zone (daily activities, running the country, etc.), and the lower zone (desire for material wealth, sex drive, etc.). There is not much going on in the upper zone at all ( Bill has advisors to do his thinking for him).

Clinton's handwriting is smaller than normal, giving him the ability to concentrate. His lower loops are quite large compared to the size of the rest of his script. If you look closely, you will see the lower loops in his g's, p's y's are very fat and are magnified by his deep emotions.

Bill is under emotional pressure and he has to release some steam from time to time. He releases some of this physical desire by running two or three miles, and then stops and has a couple of Big Mac's. But there is the strong sex drive. How does he relieve that?

Step 6:

SPACING BETWEEN LETTERS

Average spacing between letters points to a person who is self-confident and feels comfortable and at ease.

Letters written close together or "compressed" indicate a person who feels uncomfortable about themselves, and usually has low self-esteem or is self-conscious.

Irregularly spaced letters indicate that the writer is confused, uncertain, or mixed up.

 

Step 7:

SPACING BETWEEN WORDS

Compressed spacing between words- needs to be close to others; likes crowds.

Average spacing between words- feels comfortable contact with others.

Wide spacing between words- avoids people contact; has problems dealing with others.

EXAMPLE:

Notice the word spacing on the note below. The writing indicates a person who isolates themselves from others. He or she has difficulty dealing with others so would avoid people contact, if possible.

This is the handwriting of Ted Kaczinski the "uni-bomber," who lived like a hermit in an isolated cabin in Montana. He had difficulty dealing with people and society in general.

All wide space writers aren't like Ted, but they usually avoid people contact as much as possible. Many wide space writers are married and have children, but, even then, they are usually loners. They normally have a hobby, second job or some other excuse to avoid the family and friends as much as possible.

 

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Now let's add these traits to Bill Clinton's analysis from my last article

 Pressure- heavy, strong long lasting emotions

Slant- vertical, Bill tries to control his emotions and bases his decisions on logic.

Size of writing- slightly smaller than normal, giving him good concentration skills.

Zones- Mid- concentrates on daily activities (running the country), and lower- desire for material wealth and physical drives like appetite, sex, exercise etc.

Spacing between letters- mostly average but sometimes compressed, he is a little uncertain about how he feels about himself. We know it's not low self-esteem, but it could be self-consciousness or guilty conscious.

Spacing between words- crowded, Bill likes to be close to others and loves crowds.

Step 6:

INTELLIGENCE & THOUGHT PROCESSING

General level of intelligence can be determined by examining the small letters "m," "n," and "r." Someone with a "quick" mind will write these letters with sharp pointed tops. These writers are quick to comprehend and retain ideas. They are usually considered "smart."

Determining how intelligent they really are is impossible, but the pointed top can be considered an indicator of "above average." (This can generally be confirmed by checking into level of education.)

Those who write The "m," "n," and "r" with a round top are slower methodical thinkers. These people can retain just as much knowledge as quick thinkers, but they tend to "think things over" before making decisions. They are not as likely to "jump to conclusions," and tend to be more creative.

The same letters written flat and thread-like point to a person who doesn't have the mental capacity to learn quickly or to be creative. These writers are usually considered "lazy" or "dumb."

Flattened peaks may also indicate that the writer is deceptive, or hiding something. He or she may lack communication skills or not want to communicate for some unknown reason.

 

Step 9:

SPEED OF WRITING

The speed of the script reveals much about the writer. Fast writers can be spontaneous, impatient, ambitious, aggressive, negligent, quick thinkers, accident prone, etc. In a full evaluation of writing speed, many other traits must be examined to determine the correct meaning.

 

Average speed writers are slower thinkers. They can be cautious, creative, organized and so on. Other factors in the script will reveal to its full meaning.

 

Slow writers show lack of ambition and determination, they are often ostentatious or lack mental capacity.

 

SAMPLE ANALYSIS—

Applying the nine steps to show outstanding traits.

 

 1. Pressure: Average. Average amount of energy to make it through the day.

2. Slant: Right. Responsive to emotional situations. His heart rules his mind. Friendly and outgoing.

3. Baseline: This sample was written on lined paper, most words start on the preprinted line but ascend, depicting a good mood.

4. Size of Writing: Small. Good concentration skills.

5. Zones: All 3 zones are emphasized.

6. Spacing between letters: Average. Henri feels confident and comfortable about himself.

7. Spacing between words: Average. He feels comfortable with people contact. He doesn't necessarily like crowds but he is not a loner either.

8. Speed of writing: Average.

9. Intelligence: Henri switches between two modes of thinking. Some "m n r" tops are sharp and some are rounded.

Henri is a moderately energetic person. He will have enough energy to make it through the "daily grind." He wants to live life to the fullest, and values pleasures like gourmet foods and luxurious surroundings. He is restless and is always on the go. He wants to lead an active varied life.

Henri has a great desire to accumulate money and material possessions. He is conservative and thrifty, and manages his money well.

Henri is an emotional person who usually expresses his feelings freely. His reactions may be impulsive at times. His emotional energy is moderate, so when he gets mad about something, he can usually calm down in a reasonable amount of time.

Henri switches between two different thought processes. He is willing to slow down his thinking and be more deliberate and precise if he has to. The small script depicts good concentration skills. He has a sharp, incisive mind which can be applied to a problem like a surgeon's scalpel. He can evaluate information, identify the flaws, and fill in the gaps. He has superior investigative skills and enjoys uncovering new information. He can focus his attention and concentrate in spite of distractions.

Intuition plays a small part in Henri's thinking, but logic rules his thoughts, producing continuity in problem solving. This versatility enables him to see both the parts and the whole of a situation or problem. Henri doesn't hesitate when it comes to solving a problem. He jumps right in with both feet. He notices details and pays attention to the particulars of an idea or problem.

Henri is not afraid to speak out and defend himself. He uses his intellect to stoutly defend his opinions in matters which are important to him. He loves a good discussion.

Henri is proud of how he looks and what he is capable of doing. He likes to dress well and demonstrate his talents. He doesn't like others to question his competence. His feelings get hurt when his personal appearance is criticized.

Henri shows many signs of being impatient. He will become frustrated when he is forced to wait or do the same thing over again. Because he is intent on getting things done quickly, he sometimes pushes too hard for the things he wants.

Henri likes having a good laugh, and uses his sense of humor to make life more fun. Henri's determination is a little on the weak side— he can be taken advantage of and give in when pressured by others.

Henri is an outgoing person. He likes to be with people and enjoys meeting new people, but he usually sets aside some time during the day to be alone with his thoughts and recharge his batteries.

Henri sets realistic goals. He is ambitious and works hard to achieve his goals. He is able to benefit from constructive criticism of his work, and doesn't react defensively. Henri's concentration skills and attention to details would make him successful in a job using computers, science or mathematics. He has good finger dexterity and would be good at handling or assembling small parts.

Suggestions. Henri has one minor problem— his determination is low. To cure this problem Henri should cross his "t's" with a slightly upward slant using consistent heavy pressure. This will send a message to his subconscious mind, and over time will raise his determination level.

I see other areas where suggestions can be made, and there are other personality traits that need attention. They are not mentioned here, but would be disclosed in a confidential analysis meant for Henri's eyes only.

MOOD EFFECTS YOUR WRITING

A handwriting sample reveals who you are at the time of writing. Your mood effects how you write, and as your moods change, so does your script.

Other factors that alter handwriting include drugs, physical illness and preoccupation with unrelated thoughts as you write.

For the graphologist, the only real solution to handwriting variance is to obtain samples written over a extended period of time. This is the true way to get a true personality profile of the writer.

When my clients submit samples, they do it because they want to. They aren't under any pressure. They are in the comfort and security of their own homes and, generally, relaxed. These conditions are ideal, and the handwriting sample submited for analysis is usually a reflection of the writer's true self.

Below is an experiment that helps illustrate how your mood effects your handwriting.

 

THE EXPERIMENT

The handwriting samples bleow were taken at intervals of about an hour apart by a friend who was spending the day with her grandson.

Sample 1-Start of the day. Her 6 year old grandson is about to arrive and she will watch him for a few hours. This is her normal handwriting.

Sample 2- The boy has been with her for an hour. Her baseline is wavy and slants forward, showing her emotions out of control.

Sample 3- An hour later she regains her composure, somewhat, the left slant now showing that she is really trying to keep her emotions under control.

Sample 4- The end of the day. She has let her emotions get the best of her. The boy will go home and she will settle down. Later, her writing will be as it appeared in sample one, at the beginning of the day.

This experiment illustrates that a handwriting sample reveals how the writer feels at the time of writing. You can see, by the above samples, that the subject's handwriting changed in direct relation to the circumstances under which the sample was taken. The mood factor is important in handwriting analysis. If I had analyzed these 4 samples individually, I would have come up with 4 different analyses of the same person.

This is also an important factor to consider for all of you amateur analysts out there. Try to get as many samples as you can over an extended period of time. It may save you some embarrassment.

 

THE JOB INTERVIEW

Since your moods effect your handwriting, how do you get a fair assessment if your handwriting is analyzed during a job application?

First, the law requires the employee to advise the applicant beforehand that their handwriting will be analyzed. The same is true regarding mandatory drug testing. The applicant must be advised beforehand. This tends to make the applicant calm down and use their best handwriting and usually causes the drug user to walk out.

Second, the handwriting analysis can not be the singular basis in determining if an applicant is hired (or fired); this is discrimination. All other factors of the applicant such as experience, qualifications, education, personality test, and the personnel manager's opinion of verbal interview must come into play before a decision is made. In other words the company can't say "We didn't hire you because we didn't like your handwriting".

If you are too nervous to write normally, you probably won't do well on the other tests either, and possibly, will not get the job. On the other hand, if your handwriting is a little "shaky" but you do well on the other tests you stand a much better chance.

The moral. When applying for a job, relax and be yourself.

 

OTHER MOOD FACTORS TO CONSIDER

During a criminal investigation when I have only one sample to work with, for instance, the Ramsey ransom note. I could determine by the handwriting the mood of the writer at the time of writing. He was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and was having bipolar mood swings, and was in a disorganized mental state, which explained his actions on the night of the murder. His handwriting would surely change when he settled down, his drugs wore off, and he returned to more comfortable surroundings. But the handwriting of a man with these problems wouldn't change drastically. There would still be enough matching traits in his "normal" handwriting to prove that he wrote the note.