The Write Stuff

Barry L Beyerstein

ISBN 10: 0879756128 / ISBN 13: 9780879756123

Published by Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc Nov 1992, 1992

About this Item

Neuware - Like fingerprints, each person's handwriting is unique and may be used as a means of identification. Expert document examiners have long been used by courts to determine the authenticity of signatures and other writing samples. But is there more that handwriting can reveal about a person beyond individual identification Many claim that such analysis has been perfected in the science of 'graphology' and that personality traits and accurate character readings can be deduced from a person's penmenship. In this definitive study of graphology, Barry and Dale Beyerstein provide a balanced evaluation of claims that personality, aptitude, and psychological and physical health can be determined through handwriting analysis. The contributors include both practicing graphologists, who present their case and describe their practices and methods, as well as critics from many fields, who evaluate graphology in terms of brain research; assess its accuracy through objective tests of validity; contrast graphology with verifiable psychological assessment techniques; and review the legality of using graphology in employee selection, psychological diagnosis, and the criminal justice system. A major thrust of the book is a consideration of why graphology seems so accurate to many personnel managers when it has been unable to pass objective tests of validity designed by experts in the psychology of individual differences. In addition, a brief history of graphology is offered, which traces its roots to the ancient practice of sympathetic magic. Also presented is a philosophical discussion which compares the practice and philosophical assumptions of graphology with the scientific method. For critics andproponents alike, The Write Stuff will serve as an invaluable reference work.

Seller Inventory # 9780879756123

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Write Stuff
• Publisher: Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc Nov 1992
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0879756128
• ISBN 13: 9780879756123
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 237W x 163H x 35D millimeters 237 millimeters width by 163 millimeters height by 35 millimeters depth
• Weight: 889 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Like fingerprints, each person's handwriting is unique and may be used as a means of identification. Expert document examiners have long been used by courts to determine the authenticity of signatures and other writing samples. But is there more besides identification that handwriting can reveal about a person? Many claim that such analysis has been perfected in the science of 'graphology' and that personality traits and accurate character readings can be deduced from a person's penmanship. In this study of graphology, Barry and Dale Beyerstein provide a balanced evaluation of claims that personality, aptitude, and psychological and physical health can be determined through handwriting analysis. The contributors include both practising graphologists (who present their case and describe their practices and methods), as well as critics from many fields. Those critics evaluate graphology in terms of brain research, assess its accuracy through objective tests of validity, contrast graphology with certifiable psychological assessment techniques, and review the legality of using graphology in employee selection, psychological diagnosis and the criminal justice system. A major thrust of the book is a consideration of why graphology seems so accurate to many personnel managers, when it has been unable to pass objective tests of validity designed by experts in the psychology of individual differences. In addition, a brief history of graphology is offered, which traces its roots to the ancient practice of sympathetic magic. Also presented is a philosophical discussion which compares the practice and philosophical assumptions of graphology with the scientific method. For critics and proponents alike, "The Write Stuff" will serve as an invaluable reference work.

From the Back Cover

Like fingerprints, each person's handwriting is unique and may be used as a means of identification. Expert document examiners have long been used by courts to determine the authenticity of signatures and other writing samples. But is there more that handwriting can reveal about a person beyond individual identification? Many claim that such analysis has been perfected in the science of "graphology" and that personality traits and accurate character readings can be deduced from a person's penmenship. In this definitive study of graphology, Barry and Dale Beyerstein provide a balanced evaluation of claims that personality, aptitude, and psychological and physical health can be determined through handwriting analysis. The contributors include both practicing graphologists, who present their case and describe their practices and methods, as well as critics from many fields, who evaluate graphology in terms of brain research; assess its accuracy through objective tests of validity; contrast graphology with verifiable psychological assessment techniques; and review the legality of using graphology in employee selection, psychological diagnosis, and the criminal justice system. A major thrust of the book is a consideration of why graphology seems so accurate to many personnel managers when it has been unable to pass objective tests of validity designed by experts in the psychology of individual differences. In addition, a brief history of graphology is offered, which traces its roots to the ancient practice of sympathetic magic. Also presented is a philosophical discussion which compares the practice and philosophical assumptions of graphology with the scientific method. For critics andproponents alike, The Write Stuff will serve as an invaluable reference work.