Every since the subject of handwriting
analysis was recognized there has been speculation as to its validity as a
projective psychological tool. Although
recognized as having a basis from the Ancient Chinese through the ages to the
present, detractors have labeled it akin to hocus-pocus. But nothing could be further from the truth.
The purpose of this paper is to lay
the scientific foundation of handwriting and its relationship with handwriting
analysis. Handwriting is
scientifically based directly. Handwriting
analysis, the most powerful psychological tool available, is not.
This paper is designed more for the novice of handwriting analysis, the
detractors, and those completely outside of its awareness.
Yet a better understanding is possible for those actively engaged in the
industry.
Everything in the Universe is scientifically based and is associated with some mathematical or some other scientific law or principle whether realized or not. Einstein’s famous energy equation was true eons ago but only in the last century was it developed, recognized, and proven. The laws of gravity, the relationships of the pendulum, geometry, the principles of electric current and so many, many more repeatable laws and principles, known, and yet unknown, are inescapable influences to which we are involuntarily held accountable. These and other laws and principles must be recognized and obeyed for not to do so could be direly consequential.
Every move we make is according to the
known and unknown laws of nature. Every
one. Yet, we tend to take these
laws for granted and never realize their scientific basis. Even the seeming absence of a scientific principle is not an
absence at all. For instance,
consider a perfectly spinning top the mass of which is symmetrical.
Now consider a similar top with an asymmetrical mass, which wobbles and
collapses. In space, both would spin unerringly due to zero
gravity. In each case, the top is
affected, or not, by the influences of construction and environment.
Everything in the universe is affected in some manner by repeatable
(scientific) principles including, without question, the execution of
handwriting.
Once we know that handwriting is the
result of a scientifically based organized system we can analyze this
“system” and determine its nature just as investigators have the other
sciences. There is no difference.
This is sometimes very difficult to realize yet it is true.
The Universe, although seemingly chaotic and unorganized, is quite the
opposite. It is the scientific
principles which are the constants and “hold” or influence the relationships
in the Universe. By realizing this,
we gain insight into the scientific nature of handwriting.
Although many people consider humans
as special and, in some manner, not vulnerable to these laws and principles
nothing could be further from the truth. Our
beings are scientifically based and inextricably connected to these laws and
principles including our brains. The
brain is the central control for everything happening to maintain our lives.
It is also the location of our personalities.
The functioning of the brain is in a constant state of change in order to
maintain life because of the constant need for bodily adjustments due to
internal and external environmental impacts.
There is an incredible amount of activity occurring in our brain (mostly
subconscious) at any given time and 100% of it is used otherwise it would not be
needed and would have been discarded by nature long ago.
Handwriting “catches” the
resulting “image” of the brain’s adjustment activity at any time during
the writing activity yet maintains a certain stability.
That is why people say “my writing changes”, even under normal
circumstances, although it could drastically “change” due to other causes.
Yet these changes, whether normal or otherwise, are caused by initiatives
such as words, the environment, emotions, the act of thinking, the chemistry of
drugs, alcohol and the like.
That this activity occurs by accident
is an insult to investigative intelligence.
In other words, it’s all about the brain and its control of everything
including handwriting according to the laws and principles of the Universe.
The brain is a scientifically based,
organized system of repeatable functions called logic.
If not so, how could the sciences have been developed without a brain to
match? Briefly stated: Without this
system we simply could not make a decision or function.
When we think, we are constantly
making decisions (logic), however minor, either consciously or subconsciously.
Moving one’s hand. Looking one way rather than another.
Deciding which car to buy; what
time it is and the other
thousands of decisions made each day. This
functioning can be thought of as a process of zeros and ones (yes and no) just
like the operation of a computer for the computer is simply a manifestation or
“copy” of our brain system.
Therefore, the act of writing must
also be scientifically based because it emanates from a system that is
scientifically based, under normal genetic development.
We also know that handwriting results from brain direction not hand
direction. The hand/fingers (and
their connections to the brain) are simply conductors of directives from the
brain. Foot, mouth or other means,
could also accomplish writing.
There are only two movements possible
when handwriting: a straight line or a curve. In fact, the whole
universe exists in this manner. Just
look around you. Everything is
either a straight-line form or a curve form or a combination, parts of which are
one or the other. And, that is a
scientific principle because it is always repeatable no matter where, no matter
when. And, of course, this is true
of handwriting. Repeatable.
When one considers the presented
concepts thoroughly, the only conclusion that can be made is that handwriting is
scientifically based. Consequently,
being the emanating location of our personalities, the brain through handwriting
unerringly demonstrates its nature to us DIRECTLY as opposed to second-guessed
psychological testing or any other system of personality evaluation.
Handwriting analysis, on the other hand, is not scientifically based
directly as it requires observation, consideration, testing, and conclusion.
In fact, no scientific opinion is scientifically based.
Only the science involved is scientifically based, NOT the opinion for
the opinion comes from the thinking process which must consider many variables,
is subject to errors and usually concludes in varied results from different
investigators. Opinions do not have
a repeatable nature without thorough, repeatable testing results.
(See note 1) But all
sciences are subject to this process including handwriting.
Handwriting analysis is the most
powerful psychological tool available for human assessment whether for
development or the aiding of the troubled.
It is an essential tool for human assistance.
Handwriting analysis (as opposed to
the act of handwriting/printing) is the study and evaluation of handwriting.
Its development and education requires and has required years of
observation, experimentation, analysis, conclusion and documentation in the
forms of books, papers and presentations. As
in the study of any other scientific endeavor over time, some conclusions may be
challenged, discussions continued, errors made, corrections established.
This process is normal and, although the “gross” observations over
time have been processed through the logic systems of many investigators, some
philosophical conflicts still exist. Again,
this is normal. But, through it
all, more and more refinement and understanding progresses.
Certainly we presently are far beyond the early studies in understanding
more of what the elements of handwriting represent.
The main point is that handwriting
analysis has progressed through a long process of potentially error-prone human
logic and evaluation (just like any other science has) and we can discern its
principles just like any other science. Handwriting
analysis investigators through the ages have established many principles, which
have survived the test of time which, after all, is the most important test.
Does this mean all testing and validating work is over? Certainly not. But validating handwriting analysis to the satisfaction of all is a monumental task. But that is what we must eventually accomplish.
1. Here we are not talking about DNA testing, for instance, which has a high degree of repeatability. DNA testing has proceeded through a long process of validity. By itself, DNA is scientifically based but required experiments, testing, validation, and acceptance. There is a great difference between the “act” itself and the “information” derived from the “act”. The first is scientifically based and the other must be processed through the collective human brain and this is true of all sciences including handwriting analysis.
2. Copyright January 5, 2001 By Jack Cammarata, President, Handwriting Analysis Incorporated Plymouth, Minnesota 55446, USA
Web Page www.handwritinganalysisinc.com
email: haicam@msn.com
Last updated 30 November 2001. Please report any corrections to me at this email address bradlen@graphodigest.com
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