Does Graphology Predict Personality and Intelligence?
Author(s): Adrian Furnham, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Ines Callahn
Abstract: This paper reports two studies with similar methodology. Students completed the NEO Personality Inventory — Revised (NEO-PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992) and three different intelligence measures (Baddeley, 1968; Philips & Rawles, 1976; Wonderlic, 1992) soon after arriving at the beginning of their course. These scores were then related to a reliable graphological analysis of their hand-writing in exam scripts few months later (Study 1) and twenty-months in another (Study 2). Results showed that the 14 graphological variables factored into two interpretable factors called dimension (size, width, pressure, percentage used etc) and details (loops above, below, dotted i's, crossed t's). Correlation and regression analyses in both studies showed fewer associations with the Big Five personality variables than maybe expected by chance. Graphological variables did correlate with both participants' gender and intelligence, but the pattern was different in the two studies reinforcing the idea that chance factors were influential. Thus, once again, despite attempts to use both psychometrically valid personality measures and reliably measured hand writing factors collected under non-self-conscious conditions there appears to be no robust relationship between graphology and personality.
Pages: 78-94
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