Graphology & Employment

1. Graphology & Employment Nigel Bradley University of Westminster

2. Agenda 10.00-11.00Lecture Definitions/Use/Measures/Ethics 11.30 – 13.00Seminar Graphologists explain graphology (Lecturers from the London College of Graphology)

3. Learning Outcomes You will know what graphology is You will know who uses it You will understand how it is used

4. What is handwriting? “learned, highly practiced human motor skill involves the control and coordination of complex movement sequences” (Poluha et al 1998)

5. What is graphology? “a technique of observation and interpretation, enables the personality to be studied through the examination of handwriting.” (Graphologist European Code of Conduct 1992)

6. Learning graphology 3+ years training Examples UK – London College of Graphology FR – SFDG IT – Urbino/LUMSA Universities

7. What is graphology? Several systems…for example French School Italian School Others

8. What is graphology? Graphologists look for the presence of features (or signs) There are dozens of signs These signs may concern pressure, form, layout, continuity, speed

9. What is graphology? • The signs, considered together, and in context describe the person • The graphologist then creates a personality portrait based on this information • The procedure is not brief (e.g. 5 hours)

10. High Users Switzerland France Israel Italy Netherlands

11. Medium Users Hungary Spain Belgium Austria Denmark

12. Low Users Germany Norway UK Sweden (Bradley 2000)

13. Who uses it? Employers – Employee selection – Team building Applicants – Career guidance Others – Genealogy – Education etc.

14. Who uses it? Many companies… but few admit it because… - out of fashion - union dispute - secret tool

15. Will you meet it? It depends on - the country - the firm - the position

16. UK Graduate Recruitment Psychometric/personality assessments 18% Assessment centre 11% Handwriting analysis 4% (Guardian Graduate Facts 2 pg.22 1994 n=1419 UK undergraduates)

17. Who uses it? -Most large firms have used it at least once -The following list of users is taken from the Internet

18. Who uses it? Abadie,, ANA   International, Atac, Auchan, Bank of America, Banque Populaire, Bosch, Barclay’s Bank, Bec Frères, Cantalou L’independent, Philippe Rey, Carlsberg, CIA

19. Who uses it? Carso Dol Et Cie, Cellier Des Templiers, Citroën, Cirep Del Bano, CPF, Coldwell Banker, Conforama, Crédit Agricole, Deloitte & Touche, DHL, Docks de France, Dow, Dunhill

20. Who uses it? Dyneef, Eurogroup, Fast Maintenance Informatique, FacSimile, Faron Sutaria, Stannah Lifts, Fournié, Federal Express, Grospaud, Kai, Federation Des Caves, Cooperatives Agricoles, Iter

21. Who uses it? France Télécom, Gillette, Groupe Coopératif Occitan, Groupe Jeanjean, Groupe Marcou, Jean De Bru, Habitat, Huntington Communication, Insead, ITS Communication, Kookaï

22. Who uses it? Gan, Laboratoire Chauvin,Meridionale Des Travaux, Lacroix, Liferoca, Mairie De Tautavel, Informatique Verte, Majar, Malet, Marcou, Meyer International Marketing, Microturbo

23. Who uses it? Midica, Myrys, So.Me.Ca. Mileage Communications, Mont’Blanc, Orco International, Pacific Bell, Paragraphic, Pechiney Reynalu, Philippe Ruggieri, Pifco, Raisio, Renault, Riker, 3M

24. Who uses it? Robert Old & Co.,(Men’s Fashion Retailer, Dorset), Safer, Saint Germes Auger, Thermes De Molitg Les Bains, Salaisons De La Montagne Noire, Umt Mutuelles Du Tarn, Sapsa, Seso, Sica France Mais,

25. Who uses it? So.Di.Ma.Tel, Social Development Unit, Soterem, Spanghero, Sprincks, Supervox, Stade Toulousain, Swissair, The People’s Association, United Parcel Service, Warburg

26. How it is done STEP 1 – Specimen obtained STEP 2 – Graphologist briefed on required information STEP 3 – Handwriting is examined STEP 4 – An oral or written report STEP 5 – Info used with other sources

27. Personality Elements activity adaptability ambition clarity of mind communication

28. Personality Elements conformism conscientiousness consistency in action diplomacy decision-taking

29. Personality Elements discretion emotivity energy extroversion flair

30. Personality Elements imagination independence initiative intellectuality intelligence

31. Personality Elements intuition judgement loyalty motivation organisation

32. Personality Elements originality patience practicality receptivity reliability

33. Personality Elements sensitivity sociability stability willpower (Nezos 1993)

34. Ethics A company may not be obliged to tell you that graphology will be used.* Some tell you… -if you ask -in job ads -on application forms Some ask your permission

35. Code of Conduct Graphologists who belong to the most important European Professional Bodies are bound by a code

36. Some Ethics extracts The graphologist shall … refuse to work on documents transmitted by fax or photocopied

37. Some Ethics extracts The graphologist shall … avoid touching upon the aspects of the writer's personality which are not related to the criteria of the position to be filled.

38. Some Ethics extracts The graphologist… must not be influenced by any prejudice in respect of sex, race, politics, social class or religion. shall abstain from issuing diagnoses in fields reserved to the medical profession

39. Learning Outcomes You know what graphology is You know who uses it You understand how it is used

40. Web sites British Academy of Graphology www.graphology.co.uk Graphology Information Centre www.graphology.ws European Code of Conduct www.graphologie.asso.fr/English/Code.html

41. References Bradley (2000).Graphologists: Social Image and Occupational Status Nezos (1986) Graphology* Nezos (1993) Advanced Graphology* *Scriptor Books

42. Graphology & Employment Prepared by Nigel Bradley, Harrow Business School, University of Westminster Email bradlen@wmin.ac.uk For the Module HRW201 Employability Lecture on 2 November 2001