CHAPTER 5

COMPARISON OF TESTS

5.1 Introduction

In the previous chapter, both the graphological assessment technique and the Personal
Profile Analysis (PPA) are described methodologically. In this chapter, the actual value
of both the PPA and the graphological assessment technique will be discussed,
specifically concerning personnel selection. In this personnel selection setting the tests
both assess personality traits required for a specific position, such as a human resources
officer for example, who needs good communication skills, good administration skills,
etc.

The next section of this chapter consists of a table of different constructs of the
personality. These different constructs are then compared as they are found in the two
different reports. Thereafter, they are discussed with regard to shortcomings of both
tests, as well as illustrating the similarities.

For the purpose of this study, we assessed an individual for the position of salesperson
(refer to Appendix H – copy of the handwrit ing sample). Thus, certain requirements for
the position in question were needed. And these requirements are the basic character
traits that have to be present within the personality, to be able to match the person to the
job. The individual (any individual) will never suit the job profile to 100% perfection,
but as long as there is an approximate fit, where the individual has most character traits to
a lesser or a greater degree, then the job and person are compatible.
The personality traits generally needed for the position of salesperson are as follows (they
will be further explained in the table below): good communication skills, persuasion

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ability, enthusiasm, self-confidence, organisational ability, initiative, sense of humour,
etc.
The individual used in this study was a male in his mid twenties. He completed the PPA,
fulfilling all the requirements. Furthermore he submitted a half a page of written material
for the graphological assessment.

5.2 Table of Comparison

Graphology is a science or an assessment technique that need not be limited to only
personnel selection. As listed in the previous chapter (Chapter 2, section 2.9), there are
numerous uses for graphology – compatibility in business, compatibility in marriage,
vocational and career guidance, etc. It is thus that the following section of this
dissertation will be assessing the traits analysed as they are found in the raw data format –
raw data is data as it is calculated, without being changed into normative format, or being
interpreted in any way but how the individual answered the question or marked the
answer sheet.
The character traits will be assessed in raw data format because it will demonstrate a
global picture (Gestalt psychology) of the individual – one cannot only look at how this
individual behaves at work. A person’s “work behaviour” is a component or one aspect
of who the person is at work - but this behaviour cannot be considered as a separate entity
as a person does not exist in isolation. A person has work colleagues, friends, superiors,
subordinates, etc. Thus, one has to consider how the work behaviour is displayed in the
work environment and how it collaborates with the whole personality, in relation to other
people, such as subordinates, superiors, etc.

The following table, containing the data in raw format, will be used for comparison
purposes. It contains the raw data as extracted from both reports, taken from the
respective tests. The individual was given a PPA to mark, as well as supplying a written
specimen for graphological assessment. The result of both ‘scoring’ – procedures is
written in report format as can be found in the Appendix E and F. The reports consist of

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written information regarding the individuals’ personality traits, describing specific
aspects of his character.
This raw data has not been further refined, in terms of umbrella constructs – i.e. one
construct containing a number of character traits. The raw data will be kept at this length,
to enable the reader to ascertain the finer details that graphology as an assessment
technique has to offer. In other words, grouping the different character traits, as
mentioned in the table below, under umbrella constructs, would lead to finer points of the
assessments being disregarded. Thus, for this com parison to be clear to the reader, one
has to assess the different traits as they are (in raw data format), so as to be able to point
out certain nuances within the character that are not apparent within certain tests, i.e. the
PPA.

Nr. Constructs Measured PPA Graphological

Assessment
1 Outgoing / Friendly Yes Yes*
2 Gregarious/Sociable Yes Yes
3 Self-confident / Self-assured Yes Yes
4 Optimistic/Positive Yes Yes
5 Enthusiastic Yes Yes
6 Persuasive Yes Yes
7 Goal-oriented Yes Yes
8 Energetic (related to work) / Active Yes Yes*
9 Non-Aggressive / Not vindictive Yes Yes
10 Charming Yes Yes
11 Eager to please / Non-demanding Yes Yes
12 Anxious Yes Yes
13 Communicative/Talkative Yes Yes
14 Technical presenter (systematic and Yes Yes
logical) / Factual
15 Follower (not leader) Yes Yes

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 16 Prefers to work with people Yes Yes*
17 Winning peoples acceptance Yes Yes
18 Self-critical Yes No
19 Detailed/Specific Yes Yes*
20 Diplomatic Yes Yes
21 Conservative / Appears Cautious Yes Yes
22 Slow decision-maker (inhibiting Yes Yes
performance – when stressed)
23 Strong-willed / independent Yes Yes
24 Enjoys variety Yes No
25 Starts things but does not finish No Yes
them
26 Perfectionist Yes No
27 Self-critical Yes No
28 Analytical Yes No

The above table is an indication of how many character traits were found to correlate, as
well as depicting the ones that differed. In the first column, we have the numbers of the
traits found. The second column is a description of the constructs that were measured.
The third column depicts the constructs as they were found in the PPA report. In other
words, all the constructs that have a ‘yes’ in this column were found to be present in the
personality, as per the Personal Profile Analysis Report (refer to Appendix E). The PPA
describes the individual in a specific manner, picking up aspects of the personality that
the individual will portray in the work environment – which they call ‘work behaviour’.
However, the graphological analysis results are tabulated in column four. The traits
describes similar behaviour of the individual or in many instances the same behaviour but
there are sometimes subtle differences that have to be highlighted – as found by the
graphological analysis. These subtleties (emphasised by the graphological test) describe
an individual with a slightly different behaviour to that of the PPA results. Furthermore,
there are major variations found in the personality, as reported by both tests. This means
that the PPA reports one aspect of the personality being present, whereas the

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graphological assessment denies this character trait is even present. Below you will find
the constructs described in detail and what they represent within the 'work behaviour’
concept. Furthermore, the constructs (as they were reported on by both tests) will be
compared and discussed with regard to both tests and the information supplied regarding
the individual.

Below is a description of the above traits and an explanation where there are differences
to be found with regard to the two techniques and what the ensuing results were.

1. Outgoing / Friendly – Gregarious / Sociable

The methodology stresses the importance of clusters, which can be described as three (3)
defining traits within a handwriting sample that allude to a specific character trait of the
individual. For the writer to be outgoing and friendly, s/he has to have three (3) traits that
characterise this outgoing friendliness. In the sample provided for this study, the
individual portrays the following three traits of handwriting that describe a friendly,
outgoing individual: garland connections (see 4.5.17.1), roundedness and the writing is
legible (see 4.5.10.4 – b). However, during the analysis it became clear that this
statement has to be qua lified further. The friendliness that the individual portrays is not
of a ‘genuine’ nature. The handwriting is ‘closed’, the ovals are not open and there is no
right slant (see 4.5.7.1). These traits all point to the fact that the writer is outwardly
friendly but the feeling or trait is not authentic, i.e. it is not part of the person, it is not
real. The social and gregarious aspects of the personality thus are not really sincere
aspects of the personality – they are a forced sincerity. The above traits are displayed in
an artificial or rather superficial manner.

The PPA correctly assesses that these traits are prevalent within the personality.
Graphologically, however, the person is in reality not sincere in his execution of these
traits. Consequently, both tests claim the writer can be social, outgoing and friendly, but
the graphological assessment goes one step further to describe the individual as
superficial in this character trait. This is one of the main advantages of using a technique
such as graphology, as the ‘answers’ cannot be manipulated, or the person cannot answer

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‘what he thinks the company wants to hear’ – as is often the case with questionnaire-type
assessment techniques.

2. Self-confident / Self-assured
Self-confidence or self-assurance is the ability to rely on one’s own abilities and powers.
Both the graphological and the PPA assessment techniques ascertain that the individual
attempts to portray this appearance of self-confidence and self -assuredness. It is not
really a part of the personality, i.e. a ‘presentation’ thereof. He projects a stronger
confidence than is present within his personality. This might present a problem within
the work sphere, because he might be employed in a position that requires an assertive
person. This confidence may create auxiliary stress on him and his work will suffer. In
other words, his superior might think he is able to be confident in the work place and thus
be assertive, but he actually is not. Then when placed in a situation were this trait is
necessary, he will endure heightened anxiety and stress, as he is unable to actually fulfil
this requirement of the position.
The traits necessary in the writing to describe an individual in this manner are a well-
formed PPI (personal pronoun I), a wide writing, a speedy handwriting (see 4.5.10.4), a
progressive handwriting, a narrow right margin (see 4.5.6.1 – b), high t-crosses (see
4.5.22.2.1), large capitals (see (4.5.18.1 – a), to name but a few aspects of this trait. In
most cases the writer does not portray these ‘signs’ within the handwriting. Firstly, the
PPI has sometimes got a kink in it (see Appendix G - photocopy of kinky PPI) and it
leans towards the left, as it should be upright. Furthermore, the writing is fairly slow, as
there are no ‘fast’ connections, or things left out from certain letters, and there are
starting strokes at the beginning of certain words. All these aspects slow the writer down.
The capitals are not really in any way larger than the overall handwriting of this
individual. They do not catch the eye, or ‘stick’ out in any way. The t-crosses are mostly
found on the middle of the t-stem, which indicates they are not exceptionally high, as
needed for this type of trait.
Thus graphologically seen, and as assessed by the PPA, this individual is not the most
self-confident and self-assured person.

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3. Optimistic/Positive - Enthusiastic
Optimism and positiveness is the ability to believe in the best – of the outcome of the
situation, or of a person. He comes across as opt imistic and positive but because of the
insincerity of his social and gregarious state that he portrays in social situations, it is
again an invention of the personality to fulfil an aspect he feels, may be lacking in his
personality. The Personal Profile Analysis reports this as a genuine character trait,
whereas in graphological terms, this is a falsification of a trait that is not outwardly real.
Similarly to the trait above optimism is displayed with a rising line, a rising signature, a
narrow right margin (see 4.5.6.2 – b), a speedy and lively handwriting (see 4.5.11) and
the t-crosses being made to the right of the stem (see 4.5.22.2.4 – k). The individual may
express himself outwardly as optimistic and positively enthusiastic, but the handwriting
describes this individual as a rather anxious person within the social setting. The writing
is not that lively it is rather pedantic and staid, nor is it speedy, as already clarified above.
This person is definitely not really comfortable being with people (as reported under
social and friendly). This optimism and positivity go hand-in-hand with the concept of
friendliness and outgoingness (see point 1). Again, the writer only ‘portrays’ a picture of
social, gregariousness, which is forced, as he is actually more reserved and anxious.
Thus, in a social setting he will feel forced to be friendly and social, as well as positive.
These are not natural to him and will cause heightened anxiety, as he is in a situation he
feels uneasy with.

4. Persuasive
Persuasion is the ability to induce another person to believe something. This character
trait is definitely part of this individuals’ personality make -up and was defined by both
the PPA and the graphological assessment. The writer in this instance does exhibit the
trait of persuasiveness. The writing features needed to describe this character attribute
would include decreasing letters towards the end of the word (see 4.5.18); flattened
arcades (see 4.5.17.2) and a decisive last letter. All these aspects are present in the
writing and thus, he has the ability to persuade others to see his point of view. However,
he would most likely feel more comfortable in a setting that is not social nor friendly, in
other words where he is training or teaching, or within a work setting. As touched upon

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in the previous section, within the social setting, his anxiety would probably be higher,
than if he had to persuade a work colleague within the work context. This aspect of his
personality would have to definitely be taken into consideration in the selection process.

5. Goal-oriented
This construct means being able to work towards an ambition or a belief. He is goal-
oriented but he achieves his goal by working through other people, i.e. persuading them
to see his point of view. This aspect of his personality is real, and is supported by the
persuasive character trait in his personality. When assessing a writing sample for this
specific character trait the letter ‘t’ (see 4.5.22) has to be carefully considered. Firstly,
the stem height is important. It has to be twice the size or rather height of the middle
zone letters. This is very often the case, when one considers the circled letter ‘t’s in the
Appendix. The writing is also a connected type of writing, which is another cluster trait
of a goal-oriented person. Both graphologically and from the PPA report it is clear that
this is a definite genuine trait.

6. Energetic (related to work) / Active

This trait is described as an ability to work with energy and power. According to the
PPA and the graphological assessment, the individual does have a work-related energy.
But the PPA states that the individual is an active person. The graphological assessment
on the other hand claims that individual is not at all dynamic, and lacks this active trait
throughout his personality. He is active when at work but prefers to be less active in the
social sphere, i.e. at home and with friends. This again supports the first construct of
socialness and gregarity or rather the lack thereof. He does not have the energy to be
social in a non-work related environment, but the little energy he does have, he expends
only on his work (actions). Again, this is a slight qualification of the trait in terms of the
findings on the PPA and the graphological assessment. In other words, the PPA takes the
trait at face value, whereas the graphological analysis gives a slightly more in-depth
description of the trait, i.e. yes, he is active, but not in all areas of his life. He prefers to
exert his energy in mainly work-related tasks. To be an active person the writing would
have to portray traits, such as some angularity in the writing, well formed lower loops,

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dashed and strong ‘i’-dots (see 4.5.22) and a speedy writing (see 4.5.11). The individual
has no angularity (see 4.5.17.3) in the writing, as it is classified a rounded writing. His
lower loops are also not very well formed. They are ‘stunted’, in that they do not follow
through back to the middle zone (see 4.5.3). They point towards the left margin. The ‘i’-
dots are far from dashed, they are pedantically placed above the ‘i’ (see 4.5.22) and are
not dashed in any way whatsoever to the right side, which indicates moving in that
direction. And lastly, the writing is far from speedy (see 4.5.11) in nature; it is a slow,
pedantic writing, as already pointed out earlier. Thus, the individual is not really an
active person in every sphere of his life. He may exert some energy whilst at work, but
that is simply because most people have to live and with it some energy expenditure
occurs.

7. Non-Aggressive / Not vindictive

This character trait goes hand-in-hand with the one above – energetic/active. An
individual that is aggressive is usually also an active or energetic person. Thus, an
aggressive person will be energetic. (However, this is not to say that an energetic person
has to be aggressive.) And as above this individual is described as less active, more
passive in nature, he is also not really an aggressive individual. A non-aggressive person
has a more rounded (see 4.5.11.1), mostly upright (see 4.5.7.3) and regular writing (see
4.5.19). All three of these traits describe the individuals writing sample. He is very
rounded, the slant is predominantly upright and it is regular. Consequent ly, the writer is
an individual of a more passive nature, doing things with the least amount of resistance.
He is a non-aggressive person and definitely does not portray any vindictiveness. This is
again supported by both the assessment techniques.

8. Charming
Charming people use their charms to win over other people. He is charming, which he
uses together with the persuasion aspect (this is a charm), to achieve his goals. Both
assessment techniques support this character trait. Graphologically seen the writer has to
have the following traits to portray this character distinction; namely predominantly
upright writing (see 4.5.7.3), graceful rounded strokes and garland connections between

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letters (see 4.5.17.1). The garland connection is described as a cup-like feature. In this
specific writing, the individual does portray this trait, as he has the rounded writing,
which needs this garland-like connection to stay rounded. Again, as described in the
previous trait, the writer has a mainly upright handwriting and the connecting strokes,
especially (but in most of the writing) can generally be called graceful rounded strokes.
He is a very charming individual, when considering the roundedness of the writing
sample.

9. Eager to please / Non-demanding

An eager person is keen to accomplish things or to please others. As he is a non-
aggressive and non-vindictive person, he is also eager to please and non-demanding.
These personality aspects go hand-in-hand, in support of one another. And both the PPA
and the graphological assessment technique support this evaluation. Additionally, the
writing features that have to be present for an individual to be defined ‘eager to please’,
include garland connections (see 4.5.17.1), broadness and no angles. He portrays all
these features in the sample. As can be seen at this point, many of the traits that describe
a less aggressive, more passive-natured person, all have very similar defining qualities
within the writing. Thus, this individual would definitely be a more eager to please, less
demanding person, as this fits the measure so far in this specific assessment of this
individual.

10. Anxious
An anxious person will be troubled, concerned and will worry about uncertain factors in
different situations. As described above in the first character trait, the individual being
tested is said to portray a social person, but when actually faced with social situations
were communicating is required, he will suffer from anxiety. The graphological
assessment does show that this person is not always inwardly genuine with his character
traits (see point 1). And thus, this anxiety actually underlines the insincerity of
friendliness, outgoingness and gregariousness. The graphological assessment
immediately highlights this insincerity. The report (refer to Appendix F) from the PPA is
actually in contradiction of itself. It claims the individual is gregarious, but then claims

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(in another sentence) that the person is not as talkative in social situations and will
become anxious. The graphological assessment thus picked up that the gregariousness is
actually unnatural and forced for the individual. The graphological analysis is therefore
more ‘true’ and less contradicting than the PPA, in this case. An anxious individual’s
handwriting will portray the following traits – slowness (see 4.5.11), flattened appearance
of the handwriting (see 4.5.17.2) and a mixed slant. The garland connection of this
writing is one of the slowest connective forms (angular connections are much faster).
The handwriting has a flattened appearance as can be seen in the appendix. Especially
the word ‘week’ is highlighted, because to create such flatness, a person would assume
that this was done with the aid of a ruler, but this is not the case here. This was done by
free hand. And lastly, the slant is generally of an upright nature, but there are indications
of the slant being mixed, sometimes leaning a bit more to the left, sometimes a bit more
to the right. He can thus be defined as a person who is anxious by nature. In section one,
this was further highlighted by additional writing traits that show he has a specific
aversion to social situations as these make him very nervous and anxious.

11. Communicative/Talkative
Being communicative is the ability to converse and communicate with others. The
individual can converse competently, as he is a persuasive speaker. He is able to
converse in a work-related situation that does not require too many social skills. If he has
to convey technical knowledge then he will have to do his research prior to presenting it
to the audience. He has to know his facts to be able to communicate, to be talkative. He
is able to impart his knowledge - when researched, with enthusiasm and optimism. Thus,
there are certain qualifying aspects that the PPA does not thoroughly explore, which
become apparent in the graphological assessment of this individual (refer to Appendix F).
In other words, the PPA claims that he is a talkative person but the graphological
assessment further defines this trait by reporting that he has to have “done his homework”
for him to be able to talk. For a person to be described as a communicator the writing has
to be legible (see – 4.5.10.4 – b), connected and there has to be a good middle zone
formation (see – 4.5.3.2). The writer has all three of these traits, but in conjunction with
the flattened writing, the somewhat mixed slant and the slowness, the writer seems to

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have a slight problem with conversing “off the cuff”. He has to have done the research to
be able to talk about the subject, which he is thoroughly able to do within the work
context, as he knows what he is talking about. Within the social context however, he is
not able to just talk about any topic presented, thus he becomes anxious within the social
arena.

12. Technical presenter (systematic and logical) / Factual

The technical presenter is a person that can impart technical knowledge in a factual
manner (little emotions involved). As explained in the above paragraph (these two
aspects go hand-in-hand) this individual is able to impart knowledge from a technical
point of view. He needs to have researched his topic very soundly and to be learned in
that field, so as not to become anxious, due to uncertainty of facts.
Both the graphological assessment and the PPA described the same aspect of his
personality. This aspect was described from the social point of view in the previous
section. The writer is now assessed from the work view or technical presenter view, as
this section is called. To be a technical presenter, the writer needs to portray the
following features in his or her handwriting: accurate diacritics (see 4.5.22), squarish
baseline, square letterforms and regularity (see 4.5.19). The individual in question has
the above features in the writing sample. Firstly, the squarish baseline and letterforms
link up with the flattened appearance of the letters – they seem to be square in nature.
The handwriting as stated in numerous of the previous sections, is definitely regular and
the diacritics have been placed accurately. The ‘i’-dots are directly above the ‘i’. This is
indicative of a pedantic, precise mind. The person remembers to dot the ‘i’ and he/she
does it right above the rest of the letter ‘i’. He thus mainly portrays himself as a factual,
logical person, needed to be a technical presenter.

13. Follower (not leader)

A follower prefers to be told what to do, rather than lead people to doing things. This
individual is not a leader. He needs the recognition from a superior and relates well to a
democratic superior. He needs to have his job description clearly defined for him, which
puts him at ease. The PPA does not clearly describe him as a follower but all the

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preceding traits allude to this concept within his personality. The graphological
assessment similarly does describe him as such, but not in a negative manner. When
considered within context and along with all the other traits previously mentioned, it is a
positive aspect of his personality, i.e. not every person is a leader, there have to be
followers, as well. To be a follower, the handwriting has to be regular (see 4.5.19),
rounded, slow (see 4.5.11), garland connections (see 4.5.17.1), etc. However, one aspect
that has to be present in combination with the above four traits, is that the writing may
not be progressive in nature. A progressive writing seems to look as if it is moving
forward. This would include a right slanted writing, angular tendencies, speedy writing,
to name but a few. The writer in this specific instance has none of the above traits and
can thus not be classified progressive or forward moving and consequently cannot be
called a leader – it is obvious that he is a follower by nature.

14. Prefers to work with people

The writer prefers to work with people as he works through them to achieve his goals.
Seeing as he is also a follower, he thrives on popularity and democratic relations. His
work situation needs to be not too varied and full of change, as he prefers things to stay
stagnant, where he can be most comfortable, otherwise he will exhibit anxious moments.
The graphological assessment is in contradiction to the PPA, which claims he likes fast-
paced change and variety. Graphologically seen, he prefers a slower, more pedantic
pace, where he can fit in. He works best in an environment he knows, where there are
standard operating procedures to work from. A person that prefers to work with people
and through them will present a handwriting that has a rounded feel to it, garland
connections with a general upright slant (see 4.5.7.3), as well as a crowded writing that is
connected. As assessed in previous sections, this person has all of these features present
in the writing sample and consequently, he likes to work with people to achieve his goals.

15. Winning people’s acceptance

As the trait is self-explanatory, so it also goes hand-in-hand with the concept of being
eager to please, wanting reassurance that he is doing things correctly and wanting to be
popular. This trait is again described by both the PPA and the graphological assessment

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as a character trait of this specific individual. The writing again indicates that the
individual is able to do this, as well as thriving under the acceptance of others. The
writing has to be rounded, legible (see 4.5.10.4 – b) and have an upright but mixed slant.
The slant is important in this specific instance, because the writer has to be flexible
enough to fit into different roles, so as to gain the acceptance of the other people. By
having a mixed slant, the individual is able to fit in and adapt to certain different
situations that may crop up.

16. Self-critical
He is not really self-critical. This is according to the PPA, whereas the graphological
assessment does not agree with this finding: he is rather ‘impressed’ with himself and
will thus not really try to find fault with who he is. According to the graphological
findings the writer is not very critical of the self. He is more a self -centred individual.
This is idea is compounded by the features in the handwriting. These would include a
large PPI, a mainly upright slant (see 4.5.7.3) and a large middle zone (see 4.5.3.2). He
thus does not find too much fault in the individual that he is. He is rather ‘happy’ with
the person he is.

17. Detailed/Specific
He does like to be specific and does consider the details but he is in no way a
perfectionist, as the PPA claims. Graphologically he is rather detailed, as he has the
ability to deal with details. However, the individual would never be described as a
perfectionist in graphological terms (as the PPA does). They generally agree on this
concept, but graphology does not agree with the extent of the detailedness – it is not on
perfectionist level. A detailed, specific person has a small sized handwriting. This writer
does not, his writing is by no means deemed small. There should be starting strokes (see
4.5.13.1) in the handwriting. There are some starting strokes to be found, but generally
they are too few, to make this person detailed in his endeavours. The diacritics need to
be very accurate. In this sample the diacritics are accurate but not as accurate as in the
case of a perfectionist. In many instances the writer places the ‘i’-dot either slightly to
the left or slightly to the right of the ‘i’-stem. A perfectionist would ensure that they are

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always perfectly above the stem. In conclusion, the writer has tendencies towards being
more detailed and specific, but he is by no means a perfectionist. The overall impression
gained from the handwriting is also not a perfect presentation, as is often the case with
perfectionist. He thus tends towards being a perfectionist but does not follow through
with the detailed picture.

18. Diplomatic
Diplomacy can be described as wily and subtle conduct or behaviour, without being false
and fraudulent. From all of the above, we can say that he is diplomatic in nature, as his
main aim is to work with people, to persuade them, to get their acceptance and to be
popular and charming. Both tests again support each other in this instance.
Being a diplomat is a conglomeration of traits that a person has to portray. Many of the
above traits describe this individual as a diplomat. The main feature however, that deems
this individual a diplomat is the mixed slant (it seems to be mainly upright but there are
definite deviations that define this slant mixed. This ‘mix’ indicates the ability of the
individual to adapt to situation and people. This together with the ability to persuade, to
gain acceptance (and their relevant writing features), all indicate that the writer is a
diplomat, but mainly due to his flexibility (in the slant), which is evident in the mixed
slant.

19. Conservative/Appears Cautious

The individual is more moderate and cautious by nature, being very careful where to go
and what to say. He is certainly conservative and cautious by nature, as he is not the
spontaneous, energetic kind. He is rather slower and deliberate in actions. Both tests
support this assessment of the individual in question. In addition, to the individual being
a detailed, specific person, he is also a conservative, cautious person. This is further
highlighted in the handwriting by a number of traits, already previously described. The
traits that indicate caution and conservatism comprise a slow writing (see 4.5.11),
accurate diacritics, a regular writing, as well as a square baseline (see 4.5.5). This depicts
someone that takes his time in writing, which translates into someone, who takes his time
in deliberating decisions. The slowness overall in the handwriting is characteristic of a

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person being unhurried and deliberate in nature. This would translate into his work life,
his social life, and all areas of being.

20. Slow decision-maker (inhibiting performance – when stressed)

As he is a conservative, more cautious person, he is not going to make hasty decisions
about anything. He makes slower decisions, as he wants to make the right decisions. By
deliberating on issues he can make sure the decision will fall in line with other people’s
beliefs and so he will ‘remain’ popular and will be accepted by the others in his
environment. Both the PPA and the graphological assessment describe him as such an
individual, even going further to say that he in this instance may even irritate faster
thinkers. The handwriting characteristics will not have to be delineated in this section, as
they overlap with the ones from the previous section, where the individual is described as
a cautious, conservative person

21. Strong-willed / independent (under pressure)

Being strong-willed is the ability to assert one’s will onto others. He does not really have
this ability or trait, as it is linked to his self-confidence and self-assuredness. Both these
aspects (self-confidence and self-assuredness) are lacking within the individual and thus
he cannot really portray strong willpower. However, again he seems to appear more
strong-willed, as he has the ability to modify his behaviour accordingly. In the same
instance he seems to be more independent by nature as well. But in reality these are not
traits that he actually possesses. Both the PPA and the graphological assessment test
support this. The writing that describes a person with a strong will and independence
would include a small writing, a stick-like PPI, an individual script and a disconnected
writing. The writer is not independent and strong-willed because he has a medium-sized
(see 4.5.14) writing (not small), his PPI is not independent, i.e. it is written with cur ves
and is rather intricate, which shows that he is not able to stand on his own. The script is
not that individual, in that there are new aspects added, different from the copybook
writing. And lastly, the writing is not disconnected; it is rather connected, with some
disconnection. He thus does not fit into the category of a strong-willed, independent
individual.

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22. Enjoys variety

Enjoying variety is akin to liking change. The PPA describes him as someone who “is
quick-paced and enjoys variety and change in terms of both people and tasks” (report –
refer Appendix E). But according to the graphological assessment the individual has
absolutely no liking for change or variety. He prefers things to stay static, with standard
operating procedures, so that he knows what is expected of him, when it is expected and
how it has to be presented. Again, the PPA is in contradiction of itself because it states
he prefers standard operating procedures, but likes change and variety in tasks. This
contradicts itself, whereas the graphological assessment is not contradictory. An
individual that prefers variety, will have a handwriting that is speedy, disconnected, very
flexible, sometimes the holistic interpretation would state it is uncontrolled. Proverbially
stated there is “no method in the madness”. The writing in this instance is too controlled;
there is not enough flexibility. There is an attempt at flexibility (mixed slant), but
unfortunately there are too many contradicting features that describe the individual
differently. The writing is too connected and not flexible and changing enough. The
writing is too crowded and too controlled for the person to like variety and change. This
person does not like the diversity and this is very clear in the structured and controlled
writing he portrays. The PPA claims he prefers variety, but graphologically seen he is
more pedantic and detailed to like diversity much.

23. Starts things but does not finish them

This is another contradicting aspect found in the PPA’s report. The individual does have
an eye for detail and will consequently finish the things he started. He is rather a more
pedantic individual and a slow thinker. All these character traits jointly describe a more
composite picture of this individual. The PPA says that he would rather not finish things
because he may lack the in-depth follow-through – this repudiates the concept described
above where he is likened to a perfectionist. A perfectionist would definitely finish what
he started. Being a person that is detailed and specific in nature, he will finish what he
started. Furthermore, in section five of this chapter the character trait goal-orientation is
discussed. The PPA and the graphological assessment both assert that the individual is
goal-oriented. Thus, the individual would also finish what he started. It may not be at a

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very fast pace, being rather more pedantic in nature, but finish it he will. Thus, the PPA
contradicts itself again by saying that the person is goal-oriented but will not finish what
he started.

The above thus describes the character traits of the individual in question. In many
instances there are parallels that can be made and both tests seem to describe the person
in the same manner. However, in certain instances, there are further mitigating factors
discussed that elucidate the individual’s character even further or more in depth than
compared to the Personal Profile Analysis tool of measuring personality traits.

The concepts that will be highlighted and described below definitely do not form part of
the individual’s character make-up, as per the graphological assessment technique. The
PPA, in some instances above, has proven itself to be contradictory in nature, in
especially the aspects to be described below – nevertheless remembering that the PPA
only tested the individual for work behaviour traits. From the graphological assessment
point of view there are definitely more aspects that were evaluated, as a more holistic
approach is taken in assessing personality characteristics.

24. Perfectionist (Starts things but does not finish them)

As described under the previous character trait, the PPA reports the individual as a
perfectionist. A perfectionist for either moral, social, cultural or religious reason will
endeavour to succeed in perfecting all that he or she attempts. Thus, the fact that the PPA
report claims that this specific individual will start things and not finish them; is in direct
defiance of being a perfectionist. A perfectionist will always finish what he started. The
graphological assessment evaluates the individual as someone who will start things as
well as finishing them - but he is definitely not a perfectionist by nature. Thus this aspect
is not supported by both the tests in question. The graphological assessment contradicts
the findings of the PPA in this instance. The graphological assessment tool goes even
further to outline the character of the person as pedantic, i.e. someone who will finish
things, but not to the level of a perfectionist. Thus in conclusion the graphological

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assessment seems to be more specific when defining certain character traits of
individuals.

25. Analytical
An analytical person likes do dissect and scrutinise aspects in the environment. The
individual in question is not analytical according to the graphological assessment
technique. However, the PPA describes him as someone that is analytical, self-critical
(see point 16) and will ask the “who” and “how” questions. He is not analytical, but
rather more concerned about the people around him, and what they think of him (their
picture of him). He does have a factual slant to doing certain tasks but the main aim is to
ensure that by gaining this logical, factual information, he will have the necessary means
to persuade others, to help him fulfil his work obligations. He uses the information
gained from research and work knowledge to persuade others, to work through them to
achieve his set goals.

From the above discussion the reader can determine that there are definite discrepancies
to be found in the report supplied by the PPA. The discrepancies that are apparent in the
PPA report and not in the graphological report are not as serious, as the fact that the
report from the PPA is actually contradictory in nature. It is this aspect of the assessment
technique that makes room for controversy. In other words, how accurate is the PPA
technique, if it actually contradicts itself. It does not contradict itself throughout the
report, but there are certain key aspects that do not match.

However, in summation from the above 24 categories that are listed, one does find that in
most instances the described character traits are both supported, by the PPA and by the
graphological assessment technique, in their findings. The raw data that was defined in
the table is largely found to be overlapping, i.e. they are found to be present in both
reports.

From this discussion, one can ascertain that the graphological assessment technique is
actually a very viable and reliable technique to be used. The reason this tool may be

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considered as a more ‘competent’ technique is that the small nuances that seem to be
‘neglected’ in the PPA assessment are definitely present in the graphological assessment.
Thus in its holistic approach to assessing people the personality is investigated in its
wholeness. This gives the graphologist a composite picture of the writer, since its blends
the various factors of the individual’s personality. This assessment technique thus shows
how one aspect of the personality can either modify, reinforce or even change other
personality features.

Thus in conclusion, one cannot just assess one aspect of the individual, such as his or her
work performance, without determining influencing factors from ‘outside’ spheres. In
other words, the writer does not work in isolation, all areas of his life influences one
another. If the individual is having marital problems, chances are that this person will
‘take’ these problems with to work, and these will impact on the individual’s work
performance. Thus, the holistic approach to personality assessment will offer a much
more appropriate picture of the individual.

The individual was prompted to do both test for the reason of proving graphology a
reliable means of assessment. Before actually applying the test the individual was
explained the uses of the tests and what they would be applied for. He agreed, so long as
his name was not used in the study. As is part of the Code of Ethics (Appendix J) of
being a graphologist, he was assured that the name would not be used in any instance,
throughout the study. Furthermore, after the assessment and scoring was completed the
individual was informed of the results and what he should bear in mind, if he considered
the sales person position as a career option. Thus the writer gave his consent for the use
of his handwriting for this study and he received the feedback necessary for concluding
such a study.

The individual in question was assessed for a position as sales person, as mentioned
above. From the assessment ‘results’ the graphologist can determine that this person will
succeed within his or her position, as long as very little socialising is required from him.
Thus if the graphologist can recommend that the writer will do well in his position, if the

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employer does consider the socialising aspect, then the relationship between employer
and employee might blossom into a very mutually beneficial one. It is aspects such as
this (as not assessed by the PPA) that may lead to the employee becoming too anxious in
his position and eventually resigning. But if the employer is aware of this small factor,
that may become obtrusive within the work context, then the employer can utilise this
individual’s selling potential without causing undue anxiety in social situations. The
graphological technique of assessing individuals, be it for employment, for marital
counselling, etc. can only prove to enhance relationships by increasing the awareness of
others and the self about certain factors of the person.

This chapter elucidated the two different tests and what the results are. In conclusion, the
test both proved that the individual could and should consider becoming a sales person.
However, the graphological assessment went one step further in the clarification thereof,
and suggesting to the employer that the correct guidance regarding this obstacle be given,
then the employment of the individual would be a positive one. The PPA did not give
this qualification and had the company simply employed this individual on the PPA
recommendation, then the individual would not have survived in the position for too long
a period. Again this highlights the importance of the holistic assessment done by the
graphological assessment technique, when considering an individual for a specific
position.

The following chapter on the other hand will recapitulate what the study has found, as
well as the recommendations and shortcomings that have been perceived during the
completion of this study. Further suggestions are also tabulated for future studies.

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