graphology

/græ'fɔlədʤi/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The study of handwriting: Graphology is the analysis of a person's handwriting, particularly as a means of assessing their personality traits, character, or disposition. It is considered a pseudoscience.
Usage
  • Graphology is used in contexts such as personality assessment, historical document analysis, or forensic investigations (though its scientific validity is debated).
  • It is typically a singular, uncountable noun.
Examples
  • Noun:
    • The company used graphology to screen potential employees, believing it revealed their character.
    • She is an expert in graphology and can tell a lot about a person from their signature.
    • Many psychologists are skeptical of graphology's claims.
Advanced Usage
  • "Forensic graphology": A subfield concerned with the examination of handwriting for purposes of document authentication or identifying a writer, which is more accepted than personality analysis.
    • The detective consulted a specialist in forensic graphology to verify the authenticity of the will.
Variants and Related Words
  • Graphologist (n): A person who practices or is an expert in graphology.
    • The graphologist provided a detailed report on the subject's personality.
  • Graphological (adj): Relating to graphology.
    • The graphological analysis suggested a creative but impulsive individual.
Synonyms
  • Handwriting analysis: A more general, descriptive term for the practice.
  • Script analysis: Sometimes used interchangeably, though it can also refer to the study of writing systems.
Antonyms
  • Empirical psychology: A scientific approach to studying personality, in contrast to the pseudoscientific nature of graphology.
Related Phrases
  • "To have one's handwriting analyzed": To submit one's handwriting for a graphological assessment.
    • He had his handwriting analyzed out of curiosity.
Noun
  1. the study of handwriting (especially as an indicator of the writer's character or disposition)