Graphology

Graphology is the study of handwriting and its connection to behavior, and related data points. Critics cite the lack of supporting empirical evidence as a reason to not use it. Supporters point to the anecdotal evidence of thousands of positive testimonials, as a reason to use it.

Legal considerations

• Privacy

Very often graphologists will state that handwriting analysis in the workplace is legal, and cite one or more of the following cases:

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Gilbert v California :388 US 263-267 (1967)

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US v Dionisio :410 US 1 (1973) 1973, Lawyers Edition, Second Series 35, 67; 93 SC 774

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US v Mara aka Marasovich :410 US 19 (1973)

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US v Rosinsky :547 F 2nd 249 ( CA 4th 1977 )

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United States v Wade :388 US 218, 221-223 (1967)

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They are all related to obtaining samples for comparison with documents, sound recordings etc and used to determine whether or not the individual who provided the sample, is the same person as created the evidence that they have.

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Nothing to do with permission to do a psychological analysis is even implied.

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• EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

Many graphologists will claim that handwriting analysis is non-discriminatory, since it can not determine Gender, Age, Ethnicity, or other EEOC Protected Classes. Thus far, there have been no studies demonstrating that the use of handwriting analysis in employment does not have a disparate impact upon EEOC protected classes.

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There have been a number of studies on gender and handwriting, since Binet(1898). Uniformly the research indicates that gender can be determined at a significant level.

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• ADA (Americans with Disbilities Act)

One of the rules of thumb in human resources is that if an individual who has an ADA-defined disability cannot take a test, then nobody can. As a result, tests that can not be adapted for use by those individuals will not be used by a company.

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Handwriting analysis clearly falls into the group of tests that cannot be adapted to be administered to individuals who fall within one or more ADA-defined disabilities.

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