Graphologues: image sociale et statut professionnel. La graphologie

Abstract

The social image and occupational status of the graphologist are investigated by examining published data. Three occupational groups are cited to show that image building is complex. These groups are detectives, psychologists and graphoanalysts. Such examples illustrate how status can be modified by unexpected people (e.g. writers of fiction and politicians). They also show that the occupation itself can help to shape reputation. There are obstacles to measuring image in graphology, but an attempt is made to identify countries where graphology is likely to be most well known. The calculation is based on the assumption that the level of awareness is related to the number of practitioners operating in a given country. Important countries are identified as Switzerland, France, Israel, Italy and the Netherlands. It is concluded that the image of the graphologist is fragmented and inconsistent. Part of the population is unaware of its nature or its existence. When it is known it is associated with such diverse groups as psychologists, questioned document examiners and "occult" practitioners. These facts do not imply that graphology has a good image. This implication should be a major concern to the graphological community. Without a good image, clients will be hard to find and new students will also think carefully before committing themselves to a training programme. In this situation a major image-building exercise is necessary.