Editing Graphology (section)

{{Short description|Pseudoscientific analysis of handwriting}}
{{for-multi|the forensic examination of handwritten documents|Graphanalysis|the study of writing systems|Graphemics|the study of mathematical graphs|Graph theory}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Excessive citations|date=March 2022}}
{{original research|date=January 2014}}
{{Weasel|date=January 2014}}
}}
[[File:Talks on graphology, the art of knowing character through handwriting (1892) (14781407362).jpg|thumb|260x260px|A piece of handwriting used in graphological analysis, supposedly showing traits of "frivolity" and "triviality" in the writer]]

'''Graphology''' is the analysis of [[handwriting]] in an attempt to determine the writer's [[personality trait]]s. Its methods and conclusions are not supported by scientific evidence,<ref name="DriverBuckleyFrink1996">{{cite journal |last1=Driver |first1=Russell W. |last2=Buckley |first2=M. Ronald |last3=Frink |first3=Dwight D. |title=Should We Write Off Graphology? |journal=International Journal of Selection and Assessment |date=April 1996 |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=78–86 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-2389.1996.tb00062.x }}</ref><ref name="NYT1">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Roger |title=In France, It's How You Cross the t's |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/19/business/in-france-it-s-how-you-cross-the-t-s.html |work=The New York Times |date=19 October 1993 }}</ref> and as such it is considered to be a [[pseudoscience]].<ref name=nevo1986/><ref name=Graph_Beyer_PBS/><ref name="ReferenceA">{{Scientific American Frontiers|8|2|BEYOND SCIENCE? Paper Personality}}</ref><ref name = Dunning>{{Skeptoid|id=4363|number=363|title=All About Graphology|access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref>

Graphology has been controversial for more than a century. Although proponents point to positive testimonials as [[anecdotal evidence]] of its utility for personality evaluation, these claims have not been supported by scientific studies.<ref name="DriverBuckleyFrink1996"/><ref name="Furnham1987">{{cite journal |last1=Furnham |first1=Adrian |last2=Gunter |first2=Barrie |title=Graphology and personality: Another failure to validate graphological analysis |journal=Personality and Individual Differences |date=January 1987 |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=433–435 |doi=10.1016/0191-8869(87)90045-6 }}</ref> It has been rated as among the most discredited methods of psychological analysis by a survey of mental health professionals.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Norcross|first1=John C.|last2=Koocher|first2=Gerald P.|last3=Garofalo|first3=Ariele|date=2006|title=Discredited psychological treatments and tests: A Delphi poll.|url=https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0735-7028.37.5.515|journal=Professional Psychology: Research and Practice|volume=37|issue=5|pages=515–522|doi=10.1037/0735-7028.37.5.515|issn=1939-1323|quote=Five tests rated by at least 25% of the experts in terms of being discredited for a specific purpose received mean scores of 4.0 or higher: Luscher Color Test, Szondi Test, handwriting analysis (graphology), Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test (for assessment of neuropsychological impairment), eneagrams, and Lowenfeld Mosaic Test|via=|url-access=subscription}}</ref>