Graphoanalysis
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Graphoanalysis is a Registered Trade Mark of the International Graphoanalysis Society. No infringement of that trade mark is intended on this page.
Graphoanalysis is the system of handwriting analysis developed by Milton N Bunker. He first studied handwriting analysis around 1913. By 1929, he had enough confidence in his system to form the American Grapho Analysis Society. This organization later became the International Graphoanalysis Society.
Whilst the roots of Graphoanalysis are in the writings of Abbe Michon, the influence of Crepieux-Jamin is very apparent.
The basic idea of graphoanalysis is that every stroke reveals something about an individual, but that meaning only has significance when it is found with other indicators.
Isolated strokes are significant, but only to the extent that what they reveal is expressed elsewhere in the handwriting.
The Green Sheeet contains 119 traits, that can be evaluated from basic traits. These traits are initialy scored by the frequency, and intensity of various strokes. Then the traits are rescored, by combining the scores are traits which are related to the trait. These evaluated scores represent how the various traits are made manifest in the personality.
The starting point in doing an analysis is by measuring the upslant of 100 consecutive letters. Degrees are not measures, but rather the zone that the upslant falls into. These zones are:
- F--
- F-
- FA
- AB
- BC
- CD
- DE
- E+
- E++
Both E++ and F-- are used by very few Graphoanalysts.
The next step is determining the pressure of the writing. Virtually every handwriting analyst has a different idea on how best to determine pressure.
The most common methods are:
- feeling the underside of the paper with one's hand.
- Looking at the number of carbons that the writing can still be read on.
- Measure the width of the line of the writing
- Look at the gouge that the writing instrument made in the material
- Use a graphodyne
- Guesswork/experience
All of those methods have problems. The most objective appears to be measuring the width of the writing line. It can fail, because ball point pens usually leave a uniform line.
One popular practice is to proclaim that felt tip pens are, by definition, light pressure, and ultra thin ball point pens are, by definition, heavy pressure.
At this point one measures the width and height of each stroke. Then one goes on to score the basic strokes.
After that is completed, the actual evaluation process begins. This involves matching each of the traits, and scores against each of the others, to determine how the trait is made manifest in the personality. For example, a t bar that cross above the t stem indicates "day dreaming". If the writing shows strong endurance, persistance, determination, and willpower, one has an individual who is setting distant goals, and will work to achieve them. If the writing shows scattered energy, and inability to focus, and introversion, then the individual is one who is seeking to escape into their own fantasy world.
It takes an experienced Graphoanalyst roughly two hours to score all the traits. The report itself takes about another hour to write. Computers do not significantly reduce the amount of time to analyze a handwriting sample.
The focus of the graphological report will depend upon why one is requested. The most common reason is for Employment Screening. Other reasons might be Jury Selection, Compatibility Reports for potential couples, or Self Growth.
Training in Graphoanalysis is conducted by the International Graphoanalysis Society. The majority of this training is by correspondance. This certification has minimal recognition within the field of handwriting analysis.
See also
References
- International Graphoanalysis Society. (1964). The Encyclopedic Dictionary for Graphoanalysis, Chicago, IL. First Edition