Graphoanalysis: The What, Why, Who, How and Where is it Going, in Terms of Its Use in Business Decisions Dr. Melody Waller LaPreze, Missouri State University, USA ABSTRACT The use of graphology, or handwriting analysis, is not a new phenomenon even though its usage has been escalating recently. This paper discusses the definitions and history of graphology, why an organization might choose to use it in making Human Resources and business decisions, as well as how an organization should implement the use of graphoanalysis. Finally, a brief discussion is included concerning the future directions of graphology in light of the changing of handwriting curriculum in the United States education system. INTRODUCTION Can one’s leadership style be predicted by how one writes his/her name? Can the success/failure of negotiations be predicted by studying the handwriting of the participants? Ruth Brayer of Graphological Services International indicates that the answer to both of the above questions is “yes.” Her consulting firm has been able to boast of clients with the reputation of Citibank and Bristol Myers (Watch Out, John Hancock, 1988). What assessment method of potential success on the job is legal; predictive; nondiscriminatory of gender, race, or religion; fast; and comparatively reliable? If the reader answered “handwriting analysis,” he/she could be correct! What method of analysis is used extensively by European and an increasing number of United States organizations in personnel selection and management decisions? Again, if the reader answered “handwriting analysis,” he/she is correct (Levy, 1979; desGarennes, 2001; theguardian.com, 2009; Ploog, 2014) In today’s world where much moral and legal controversy surrounds the use of polygraph tests, urine analysis, and many paper-and-pen tests, what does the Human Resources Department or the line manager have from a job applicant that is easily obtained, does not require expensive equipment, and can be valid and reliable? Applicants generally complete application blanks, sign application letters, or present other written data during the application process anyhow, so no extra steps are incurred in obtaining samples of writing to be analyzed. Therefore graphology provides an interesting option for information to be used in decision making. Richard Klimoski, a professor of industrial psychology at Ohio state University and a prolific scholarly researcher and author once identified handwriting analysis as a solution for employment problems that was too good to be true. Robert Krueger, a Los Angeles management consultant described people’s reaction to graphology as one of skepticism, and likened it to fortunetelling. But Krueger also acknowledged the growing acceptance and utilization of handwriting analysis (McCarthy, 1988). 36 The Journal of International Management Studies, Volume 11 Number 2, August, 2016 WHAT IS GRAPHOLOGY? History of Graphology The use of graphology is not a new phenomenon even though its usage has been escalating recently. Before the Renaissance, little consideration was given to handwriting as the masses of people could not write. In 1609, Francois Demelle, a Frenchman, expressed his belief that handwriting revealed a person’s character. Several studies on handwriting analysis were completed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The best known was perhaps that of Lavater who was encouraged by Goethe to pursue this study. Goethe was an ardent devotee of handwriting analysis and has been quoted as saying in 1828, “In every man’s writings, the character of the writer must lie recorded.” The Roman historian Suetonius considered the handwriting of his subjects when he compiled their biographies. Nero is quoted as having said “His writing shows him to be treacherous.” Aristotle expressed the idea that “Handwriting is a symbol of speech and speech a symbol of mental experience” (Lynch, 1985, p. 15). The first known text on graphology Treatise on a Method to Recognize the Nature and Quality of a Writer from His Letters, was written by an Italian physician and professor at Bologna University, Camillo Baldi, in 1622. The word graphology was introduced by Jean Hippolyte Michon, a French priest, in 1868. He also developed a methodical system of interpreting slants and strokes of letters in terms of human characteristics which were included in the book, The Practical System of Graphology, which he published in 1875 (McCarthy, 1988). In 1895, Dr. Wilhelm Preyer, a German professor, wrote The Psychology of Writing, which stated that handwriting emanated from the brain and so established the link between psychology and graphology. Dr. Georg Meyer, another German doctor and psychiatrist, was analyzing his patients’ handwriting before treating them; and based on these experiences, he published The Scientific Basis for Graphology, in 1895 as well (Lynch, 1985; Ploog, 2014). In the late 1920s, Robert Saudek was noted for his research of the anti-social tendencies which could be detected in handwriting. Alfred Mendel related the principles of graphology to psychological objectives in his book, Personality in Handwriting that was published in 1947 (Lynch, 1985). Also in the twentieth century, German philosopher Ludwig Klages, who has perhaps made the greatest impact on the scientific fraternity, published The Handwriting. This writing influenced Dr. Max Pulver, a Swiss graphologist, who was an associate of Dr. Carl Jung and Dr. Hermann Rorschach (noted for the ink blot test), Pulver, connected with the Institute of Applied Psychology and the University of Zurich, established ground rules in his work, Symbolism of the Handwriting, that are still used today (Lynch, 1985; Ploog, 2014). The era of Nazism forced many graphological researchers to leave Europe and most ended up in the United States or Palestine. Such individuals included Rudolph S. Hearns, Hans Jacoby, Alfred Kanfer, Felix Klein, Alfred Mendel, Richard Pokorny, Klara G. Roman, Ulrich Sonnemann, Thea Stein Lewinson, Herry O. Teltscher, Frank Victor, and Werner Wolff. Only Thea Stein Lewinson went on to add significantly to the field. She was instrumental in setting up the American Society of Professional Graphologists (www.aspghandwriting.org) which still exists today (Ploog, 2014). Definitions of Graphology and Related Terminology The term “graphology” is more than 130 years old (Klimoski & Rafaeli, 1983). Graphoanalysis, or handwriting analysis, is a subset of graphology. And while graphologists are not certified, graphoanalysts are (des Garness, 2001). About 56,000 graphoanalysts have passed the 18-month certification program The Journal of International Management Studies, Volume 11 Number 2, August, 2016 37 since the beginning of the graphoanalysis society in 1926. Most of the society’s 10,000 members work with businesses according to Kathleen Kusta, a former president of the International Graphoanalysis Society, which is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois (des Garness, 2001). Handwriting analysis, when performed by a well-trained graphoanalyst, can allow one to draw conclusions about another human being’s general personality, intelligence, strength of will, social skills, and reliability. It does not allow another individual to knowledge about a person’s physical features (body strength, hair color, illnesses, weight.), facts (race, gender, age, past experiences, financial status or destiny), or intellectual particulars (profession; special skills and knowledge, or whether one is a genius) (Ploog, 2014). The basic mind set of a person can be clearly displayed and identified in his/her handwriting. Graphology looks at a person’s personality as a functional unit–or dysfunction unit in the presence of personality disorders (Ploog, 2014). WHY SHOULD ORGANIZATIONS USE GRAPHOLOGY? Graphology, or handwriting analysis, can be used for HR decisions at every level of hiring from hourly laborers to top executives, from skilled workers to non-skilled (Self, 2012). A recent study showed that 4 out of 5 workers are in the wrong job, and thus not happy and probably not producing at their abilities peak (Ross, 2001). This leads to the discussion of why graphology is important in business settings–getting the right worker in the right position cuts down on low job satisfaction, lowers absenteeism and turnover, and increases job performance–all of which are cost savings or improvements for businesses. In 2012 the cost for a hiring error which results in employee turnover can range from $2,000 to replace a clerical employee to $75,000 for a typical manager (Self, 2012). More importantly, graphology can be used as an initial method to identify candidates with personality traits of dishonesty, fraud, stealing, etc., who would obviously not be the employee wanted by organizations. Handwriting analysis is comparable to a seismograph, which picks up movement in the earth’s plates and records this movement. Graphology detects and records personality traits through the movement of the writer’s writing instrument. And, no two handwritings are the same, since no two personalities are the same, and therefore, handwriting analysis can be used to identify individuals. However, it must be noted that an individual’s handwriting can change over time or during times of great stress of illness according to the individual’s current state of being or outlook on life (Self, 2012). Other support for using graphology in business and life decision making situations is that it just makes sense to people–it is appealing and logical, and people just