Handwriting Analysis as a Psychodiagnostic Tool

Handwriting analysis conceals many possibilities and valuable information. To understand why handwriting is so informative, let us explain in simple terms what researchers in this field discovered long ago and studied particularly intensively in the past century.

Everything that happens to us—our consciousness, subconscious processes, and actions—is governed by a single center: the brain. Nothing happens without a cause. The characteristics of the nervous system and other functional systems in our body inevitably manifest at physiological, motor, and even sensory levels.

The brain determines our ability to concentrate, orient ourselves, memorize information, and react in various situations. Our innate characteristics shape our fundamental thinking style, perception, and psychosomatic constitution.

Contrary to the attempts to convince us otherwise—when genetics and graphology were labeled as "pseudosciences"—it has long been known that a person is not born as a "blank slate," and it is impossible to "sculpt an ideal person." Moreover, I dare to add: our conscious will, desires, and external factors are by no means the main part of our personality. These are merely the small visible part of a much larger "iceberg," the bulk of which remains unchanged and rests within the depths of the subconscious and innate traits.

Handwriting as a Reflection of the Mind

As mentioned earlier, our brain and personality leave their "mark" on all external expressions, including body movements. A clear analogy of this principle, only on a micro-scale, is our handwriting.

The connection between the brain and motor activity has been known and utilized since ancient times: specific hand and finger positions in meditation, relaxation, and modern dance therapy are not accidental or purely aesthetic choices. These practices can send desired impulses to the brain—after all, the brain itself continuously leaves traces of its internal states through the body, including handwriting, similar to a detailed X-ray image.

Graphology in Psychological and Physiological Analysis

When analyzing handwriting, specialists apply knowledge from physiology, motor function, and psychology. The brain does not allow one to lie or hide anything, as any internal distress inevitably manifests in handwriting: the hand may tremble, movements may distort, involuntary micro-movements may appear, speed may fluctuate, or pressure may become inconsistent.

An Interesting Example: The So-Called "White Holes"

These refer to areas of the paper left blank. Experienced graphologists know that nothing happens without a reason—and I, having studied under them, continue to be convinced of their accuracy. Everything truly works and is confirmed in practice. These "white holes" in a handwritten document, letter, or sheet of paper are nothing more than the "black holes" of the subconscious! Sometimes, it is visible how the emerging subconscious literally consumes a person, making them feel paralyzed in certain areas of life, detached, alienated, inexplicably lonely, and misunderstood. "White black holes" have specific interpretations depending on their location.

The Importance of Direction in Handwriting Analysis

In handwriting analysis, directions and positioning are of great importance. For example, each of the four "margins" surrounding the text holds its own significance. Moreover, handwriting analysis examines personality in three dimensions rather than two: height, width, and depth.

Strangely enough, handwriting itself is almost entirely independent of the hand—it is merely an instrument of the brain, of the BRAIN as a whole, rather than just consciousness. This is confirmed by studies conducted under hypnosis, where suggested age, personality traits, or emotions consistently align with known patterns.

Graphology and Psychological Typologies

Scientists have managed to "translate" many well-known psychological typologies into graphological terms (in Israel, a graphologist's profession requires an academic degree and thorough training in other areas of psychology). For example, students of graphology are formally taught to identify sensory-intuitive cognition, logical-emotional tendencies, and extraversion-introversion.

Regarding Jung, I myself studied under the adapted American Myers-Briggs system of 16 personality types. Graphologists also utilize other typologies, such as those of Freud, Le Senne, Maslow, Odem, and others. However, I prefer Jung’s typology, as it proves effective and efficient in handwriting analysis. My website offers "Graphology Lessons Based on Jung’s Theory."

Handwriting-based psychodiagnostics serves as a true "laboratory analysis" of personality and is particularly valuable because:

• (a) It is systematic and allows for a typological approach.
• (b) Its undeniable advantage lies in resolving the eternal problem of psychological typing—subjectivity in the typing process (from both sides). One cannot prepare for this form of psychodiagnostics or anticipate how to "respond" based on one's own perception of oneself. Additionally, multiple assessments can be conducted without the concern that the individual has "gotten used to" the process or has been influenced by prior exposure.
• (c) This type of psychodiagnostics is also independent of various unconscious interferences that may distort responses or reactions, such as motivation, well-being, mood, or fatigue.

Individuality in Graphological Analysis

Note: A key distinction of graphological analysis, unlike other testing methods, is its individual approach. Typologies serve only as a preliminary stage. Once the fundamental psychotype (or rather, the typological proportions) of the individual is determined, the personality profile is further refined by identifying unique characteristics, developmental traits, deviations, or psychological challenges.

It is important to understand that real people rarely fit exactly into the descriptions of pure psychotypes. Often, an individual exhibits traits from multiple types. Furthermore, defining aspects of personality frequently go beyond psychotypical classification and may include neuroses, psychological traumas, religious beliefs, upbringing, and environmental influences. Graphological analysis can also determine an individual's life energy levels, sexual inclinations, and overall satisfaction.

The Influence of Gender and Age in Handwriting

Handwriting reveals not so much external, factual data but rather a person's inner nature. Since external and internal attributes often align, there is a reasonable chance of determining gender and age. However, it is crucial to emphasize that a reasonable chance does not imply a guarantee. In rare cases, "internal" characteristics may contradict external reality, revealing critical insights about the individual.

Typical Handwriting Traits by Gender and Age

With the disclaimer that generalizations have their limitations, the following describes "typically feminine" and "typically masculine," as well as "typically youthful, mature, and elderly" handwriting characteristics:

Feminine Handwriting:

• More rounded and fuller letters
• Greater connectivity between letters
• Fewer sharp angles and abrupt strokes
• More decorative elements, embellishments, and flourishes
• Smaller variation in letter height (ascenders and descenders)
• Often appears more harmonious or aesthetically pleasing
• Higher legibility

Masculine Handwriting:

• Smaller or sharper letters
• More angularity and sharp strokes
• Simplified letterforms (sometimes reducing letters to skeletal structures)
• Poorer legibility
• More vertical inclination

In extreme cases, "femininity" writes in circles, while "masculinity" writes in spikes. However, extremes are not the norm, and excessive flexibility is just as undesirable as excessive rigidity.

Summarizing, one can say that youth, searching for itself and experiencing psychological and hormonal restlessness, usually writes inconsistently. The size and tilt of letters change chaotically, the pressure and color of lines either disappear or become excessively strong. Instability is present in most graphic features.

Youthful handwriting is sometimes called the "forbidden fruit handwriting": a person involuntarily feels strong internal impulses and passions but either fears them, is ashamed of them, or does not know where to direct their energy. The handwriting may be round and wide at times or narrow and constrained. Complications, entanglements, or "disruptions" in the lower zone of letters (descenders), which are associated with the id, subconscious, and primary needs, are common.

Mature handwriting, on the other hand, is characterized by consistency in most indicators. Elderly handwriting exhibits broken lines, sudden omissions of strokes and letter formations, trembling, slow writing speed, and motor impairments.

Despite everything stated, generalizations should be avoided. Each person is unique regardless of their gender, age, or psychological type.

As further confirmation or addition to a graphological conclusion, graphologists use graphical, projective, numerical, and other types of tests.

Handwriting analysis is a powerful tool in psychodiagnostics. The above discussion provides only a basic understanding of the potential of this method.

Examples of Type Determination by Handwriting

Sample №1

Handwriting Description

The most striking feature of this handwriting is its extreme deviation from the standard prescribed by copybooks. The writer essentially invents unique elements, finding unusually "ingeniously simple" solutions in letter connections. This handwriting is characterized by thread-like strokes and variability in form. The dynamic and lively motion coexists with excessively large spaces between words, letters, and lines. Additionally, the handwriting is small in size, fragmented, and simplified.

The writer is a gifted individual with a highly developed, rare intuition and a sharp mind. They navigate life situations exceptionally well, anticipating events several steps ahead. Surprises and sudden changes never catch this person off guard. Their thinking is inventive, inquisitive, and quick, with a rational and insightful approach. They generate new ideas and display wit and resourcefulness.

However, a strong sense of introversion combined with heightened sensitivity stands out. The individual struggles with expressing emotions, keeping their profound and intense feelings within. They are drawn to improvisation, new knowledge, and fields of science—anything that fuels their rich imagination. This, combined with rapid thinking and perception, makes anything mundane, routine, or predetermined (things highly valued by many other personality types) an unbearable torture! As a result, they can be impatient. They think on a global scale, are impractical, and lack assertiveness. Such a person can easily and without hesitation trade material comfort for the prospect of engaging work, self-development, and intellectual pursuits.

Introverted Logical Intuitive (ILI). High level of personality development. All auxiliary functions are well-developed. They are aware of their weak points and compensate with rationalization, perceptiveness, and controlled willpower.

Handwriting Features Reflecting Functions:

• Combination of small letter size, weak pressure, large spaces between words, and compression in the central part of the letters.
• Even spacing between words and lines, partial separation of letters, large gaps between lines, straight slant, and significant variation in letter height (prominent upper and lower zones).
• Thread-like strokes and variability in form, fluctuations in slant and letter bases.
• Extreme simplification (letters are reduced to hints rather than full forms), weak pressure, thin lines.
• Non-standardization and improvisation in style, inter-letter spacing, and connections between them.
• Many "voids" within the handwriting.

Sample №1

Handwriting Description

The most noticeable features of this handwriting are its large size, intensity, strong pressure, and disruption of line boundaries: the spacing between lines tends to decrease, while there is an expansion and "intrusion" of descenders from the previous line into the territory of the next. Stylization, form, angularity, and other characteristics indicate a reduced writing speed.

The writer is a prominent and highly dominant personality. This individual possesses a strong will and has no doubts about themselves or their authority. Even in old age, they remain as full of life and optimism as in their youth. They are extremely practical, realistic, and serious about everything. Skilled with their hands, they have talents in applied or physical activities and technical abilities. They are capable of everything—building a house, providing for a family. Highly thorough and critical of both themselves and others, sometimes to the point of pedantry.

They are fair yet strict and often behave authoritatively, subconsciously mirroring the behavior of a strict father. They are characterized by thoughtfulness and deliberation, never allowing themselves to speak or act without first considering the consequences. As reliable as a person can be, they are someone to trust in intelligence missions or with state secrets. They typically want their word or opinion to be decisive.

The writer is somewhat straightforward, neither refined in appearance nor intellectually sophisticated. They do not use or understand subtle humor and may appear either "too serious and important" or naive and "awkward" in relationships. However, if they befriend someone, they are the most loyal and dependable companion, a true "protector and support."

Extraverted Sensory Logical Type (SLE). Medium level of personality development. Auxiliary functions occasionally manifest.

Handwriting Features Reflecting Functions:

• Overall dominance of handwriting on paper, almost no margins, large letter size, and emphasis on the central part of letters.
• Reduced spacing between words (less than average—the normal gap between words is about two letters of the given handwriting).
• Small (tight) gaps between lines and letters.
• Developed and emphasized lower letter zone, "overlapping" of this zone onto neighboring lines.
• Intensity, strong pressure.
• Rhythmicity, consistency, reduced writing speed.
• Partial letter separation, detailed letter formation, legibility, punctuation, and organization.

Author: Inessa Goldberg, Graphologist, Forensic Graphology Expert
Director of the Inessa Goldberg Institute of Graphanalysis
Full Member of the Scientific Graphology Society of Israel