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Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1988-08-10, Page 8Page 8 Times Handwriti, 1988 ng tells more Hy Yvonne Reynolds EXETER - Say it with music, say it with flowers, say it with a gesture, but don't say it in ink. Not if the recipient is Dorothy Chap- man. Not if you wish to convey only the words on the paper. Doro- thy recently successfully completed formal studies in handwriting analy- sis, and is now a certified grapholo- gist, or handwriting expert. Dorothy has always been interest- ed in this fascinating subject. For years she picked up and studied any book on graphology that came her way. Formal study began two years ago with an eight-week course at Fanshawe taught by Margaret Vail, who has an MA in grapholo- gl. She then enrolled in an 18 - month correspondence course set by the Chicago -based International Graphoanalysis Society.. (No train- ing in the subject is as yet available in Canada.) Handwriting is as individual as one's fingerprints. It originates in the brain, whether transferred to the paper by hand, foot or mouth. As expressions of the subconscious as well as conscious mind, it reveals a person's personality and character traits, strengths and weaknesses, giving a trained analyst a compre- hensive picture of the writer. A full-blown analysis by a trained graphologist can tell whether you are imaginative or analytical, talka- tive or quiet, able to make decisions or likely to buckle under pressure, thrifty or wasteful, calm or ner- vous, industrious or lazy, weak or strong-willed. ' This comprehensive study looks for 250 character traits. Positive and negative influences are weighed against each other, Take humour, for example. It can be healthy or sick. Emotional- ly responsive persons use humour to buffer the impact of their feel- ings. Cool calm persons use it to enhance their relationships while sensitive people use humour to de- flect hurts. If a sarcastic trait is present, that person's humour will be cutting and hurtful. Exaggera- tion in company with humour re- veals someone who is facetious and treats situations in an inappropriate- ly Tight manner. Exeter police chief Larry Hardy allowed his handwriting to be used for a full analysis for Dorothy's fi- nal exam. She had previously scen traits desirable in a police chief while reading between the lines of Hardy's application for. the Exeter position. The detailed study con- firmed her initial impression of someone "who never makes a move unless he knows he's right". Hardy's writing shows he is de- pendable, a man of integrity, per- ceptive of others' feelings, presents a good image, instills trust, has the necessary traits to realize his high ambitions, and his strong emotional and impulsive inclina- doctors, lawyers, counsellors, per- sonnel directors, credit managers, police and psychologists in such areas as personality profiles, voca- tional guidance, hirings and pro- motions, credit reports for loans, suspect documents, jury selection (in the US) and marriage counsell- ing. Another fertile field is career planning. An aptitude test concen- GRAPHOLOGIST Handwriting expert Dorothy Chapman opens her scrapbook to some of the hundreds of handwriting samples she has col- lected from such diverse sources as teachers, politicians, policemen, a witch, a rapist, and a mental patient. tions are tightly controlled. Doro- thy also detected a flair for drama. Hardy termed the assessment "very accurate". However, he in- tends to remain in police work 'rather than start auditioning for the theatre, he said with a chuckle. Dorothy is very excited about graphology's many applications. The science is assisting teachers, trating on a subject's skills can point to the career most suited to that person. "Some people have musical, ar- tistic or literary ability and don't realize it; maybe it's not encour- aged at home", Dorothy said, not- ing that perceptual handicaps also show up. Dorothy has one more rcason for Reading between the lines than the actual words honing her analytical skills. As a charter member of the South Hu- ron Big Brothers/Sister organiza- tion, she wants some way to weed out potential pedophiles. Al- though this was not part of her graphology course, the National Geographic Society has promised research assistance if she can col Icct 40 or 50 samples of handwrit- ing from known child molesters now in treatment centres, and com- pare them with normal handwrit- ing. Shc is supported in this quest by a number of agencies. "1 never sec anyone writing that I'm not looking over their shoul- ders. It opens the door immediate- ly to the personality", Dorothy confided. Shc frowns on short, quick anal- yses, and is opposcd to graphology being used as a party game, em- phasizing that "a graphologist has a real responsibility to be accurate; this can really affect someone". On the other hand, she takes eve- ry opportunity to demonstrate the validity and value of graphology. She recalls one time while repre- senting Exeter at a police commis- sion convention that she astounded some skeptics. She studied the handwriting of a man sitting across the table from her, a man she had never met before, and then told him he had been an abused child. When he recovered from his astonish- ment, he confirmed her analysis. Dorothy has spoken to UCWs, Sorority chapters, Women's Insti- tutes and other groups who have in- vited her to expound on her favour- ite topic. She demonstrates the different characteristics, and what they mean, and usually briefly ana- lyzes the writing of two or three of those present. Dorothy does not plan to "hang out her shingle" just yet. Doing full analyses means spending a great deal of time sitting at a desk, and sitting is far down on the list of things Dorothy likes to do. Too many other interests challenge the dynamic lady whose own handwrit- ing should highlight her dominant traits - boundless energy and a deep concern for others. Besides her work with Big Broth- ers, Dorothy has been a member of Exeter council for six years, and now serves on both the executive of the Ontario _Municipal Police Authority and the Ontario Police Commission Standards committee, which is drawing up standards ap- plicable to small police forces. Dorothy is now qualified to teach a course in graphology, but intends to continue her studies and obtain her Master's degree first. * * * * An analysis on this reporter's handwriting was right on target. (Fortunately, Dorothy did not have to actually read my scrawl.) 1 control my highly emotional nature by holding back my natural responses. My analytical mind makes me investigate and challenge new ideas and concepts. 1 have a keen interest in exploring such ab- stracts as philosophy or religion, but acceptance has to be based on concrete evidence. 1 would make a good debater or politician because of my ability to flow easily from one subject to an- other. I am very loyal to my friends, have strong likes and dislikes as well as integrity and a sense of hu- mour, do not shirk my duties, am a self-starter, and have a great desire to accumulate knowledge. 1 am also impatient, do not like details, have a fear of venturing into the unknown, am very frank, and like to spend money. This is a brief resume of a four page, single-space analysis. Some individual traits Many factors arc considered in analyzing handwriting. Generally speaking, a slant to the right indicates a demonstrative, impulsive, pas- sionate individual who will get involved. Vertical writing reveals a calm, cool personality in command of his emotions, whose judgment rules his feelings. A slant tothe left is interpreted as the writing of an introverted, logical, self -oriented person. Size of script is another indicator of personality. Small writing shows a careful, intense person capable of concentration and attention to detail. Generosity and interest in people and ideas is demonstrated by large script, but too large means impracticality. Large, ornate capitals denote a fair for calling attention to oneself. Individual traits arc spotted in some of the letters. 7 1 j Procrastination - trot temper Practical goals Visionary goals .Cc -ICS- -Vanity (tall t) 75 Set/' -criticism Strong willpower, enthusiasm Domineering Attention to derail, • good memory Narrow-minded A loner Clannish Selective in friends CNeeds variety of friends •t,,c fYYI N Analytical thinker • Investigative mind Logical thinker OM Desire for responsibility Self-conscious Diplomatic Broad-minded . Stubborn / c !'recision (retraced) Physically active ' Talkative Q Quiet , Argumentative CNOOL SUS STOP Levi's , Men's Levi Jeans....2399 99 Ladies' Levi Jeans.L399 Girls' Levi Jeans...... Men's Levi Jacket.... 1999 __ Boys' Levi Jeans...l999 AtO wlrif ti 4,1 RRARp'S FASHION FAMILY CLOTHING EXETER MAIN ST., 235-2 162