THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THEN PSYCOANALYST If you applied for a job in some countries, you would almost certainly

be asked for a sample of your handwriting . And it would be the handwriting, as much as anything else, that would determine your suitability for the job. Handwriting analysis, or graphology, is accepted as a genuine science in many countries. Researchers say it can be a useful tool in indicating certain illness, such as heart disease and cancer, and can reveal psychological states and emotional disturbances. Handwriting analysis is increasingly being used for vocational guidance and as a adjunct to interviews. Many big companies now employ graphologist to analyse the handwriting of potential candidates for key jobs. ut most doctors and psychiatrists remain dubious about the value of graphology. !atricia Marne, a professional graphologist for more then "# years, argues that they should take it more seriously. $he believes that handwriting can indicate psychological characteristics as well as certain medical conditions. $he says% &Handwriting is a powerful indicator of social class and intelligence. ut more than that, it can be used to assess mental ability and potential, whether a person should concentrate on arts or sciences , and whether they have a devious or open character.' According to Ms. Marne, graphology can be particularly useful in assessing possible criminal tendencies. &(riminals all have disturbed handwriting, mostly illiterate and poorly)shaped . Most criminals come from deprived backgrounds and have arrested emotional development.

*his often shows up in unusually childish handwriting and in going over letters several times. &+oung male offenders fre,uently have very high ascenders, indicating that they live in a world of fantasy and dream of making it big. -raphologists can tell whether violence is about to erupt , whether the writer is under unbearable pressure, and whether there are psychopathic tendencies. Handwriting can be used to predict would)be suicides' Heart and lung problems can also show)up, she says. &+ou can.t make a diagnosis from one sample, unless the writing is obviously shaky or disturbed. ut if over a period of time it changes or become disjointed, if there.s a break in the signature which did not e/ist previously , that could be a sign that something ,uite serious has occurred. A severe emotional upset can also show)up in a temporarily altered signature, she maintains. !eople in writing in which letters form &threads' instead of being individually formed are, apparently, devious and clever. *hose who write mainly in capital letters are trying to conceal their true selves from others. 0ery light pressure indicates sensitivity and lack of vitality. 1riginality in handwriting 2 how far the writer has deviated from copy) book script 2 indicates confidence and artistic ability. 3isconnected writing is the cardinal sign of the loner. 0ery small signature indicate inhibition and an inferiority comple/4 circles over the &i' are a bid for attention, and crossing the &t' heavily over the whole word is a sign of intolerance and a patronising attitude. Ms..Marne says it takes si/ years of study and e/perience to be able to analyse handwriting.