Graphological Assessments for Personnel Selection: Concerns and Suggestions for Research

Abstract

There is an inconsistency between the spreading practice of graphology as a selection tool and the insufficient research support for the technique. The present paper identifies some major concerns about the current status of available knowledge on the employment of handwriting analysis for personnel selection. Drawing on the extensive psychological literature about personnel selection, personnel evaluation, and attribution processes, variables that may moderate the reliability and validity of script assessments are suggested. Four categories of such variables are identified: attributes of the writer, attributes of the graphologist, attributes of the job, and the organizational context. Conceptual and empirical methods for improving the psychometric properties of graphological assessments are suggested. And, the relationship of general problems in personnel-selection research to the use of graphology for personnel selection is discussed. The intent is to propose a research framework that will allow psychologists and managers to make valid judgments about the benefits, as well as limitations, of employing graphology in making personnel recommendations.