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.

Validity

Handwriting analysis has a very high face validity. This explains why supporters have so many positive testimonials.

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Going through the published research, Crumbaugh, James C & Stockholm, Emilie (1977) ("Validation of Graphoanalysis by 'Global' or 'Holistic' Method." Perceptual And Motor Skills April 1977, 44(2), 403-410.) stands out as being one of the few studies that supports handwriting analysis.

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Far more common are studies such as Ben-Shakar, G., Bar-Hillel, M., Blum, Y., Ben-Abba, E & Flug, A., Journal of Applied Psychology, 1986 (71), 645-653, which indicates that graphology has little or no validity.

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The field is rife with practitioners of one approach calling practitioners of the other approach charlatans, frauds, and the like. Carroll v State

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being one demonstration of what each side resorts in the courtroom.

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