Sex, gender role, attribution of pathology, and handwriting tidiness

A graphical analysis of handwriting of prisoners diagnosed with antisocial personality

Some researchers have claimed that important aspects of personality can be assessed using a person's handwriting. The aim of this research is to pull together systematically and extend data on the relationships between handwriting and antisocial personality. Specifically examined was whether there are specific identifiable characteristics of writing and, if so, are these useful in handwriting analysis to diagnose a personality disorder. The graphic handwriting characteristics of 50 inmates with a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder was analyzed and compared with that of 40 inmates without such diagnosis and 50 nonprisoner controls, also without Antisocial Personality Disorder. Forensic experts examined the documents, concentrating on those aspects of handwriting which previous researchers had reported associated with Antisocial Personality Disorder, such as a sinusoidal line, heavy pressure, and an open-shaped "a". Analyses of variance comparing the frequencies of 13 handwriting parameters indicated no significant differences for characteristics in any of the groups on any parameter. The diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder was not significantly associated with any of the graphical measures; however, 5 of the 13 parameters were different between the Antisocial Personality Disorder and the non-Antisocial Personality Disorder groups in a direction opposite of expectations.

Poor penmanship in children correlates with abnormal rhythmic tapping: a broad functional temporal impairment

Timing is crucial for proficient motor tasks; temporal impairments may lead to dysfunctional motor activities. Although much research has been dedicated to the study of movement timing, clinical examination often overlooks temporal impairment of motor activity. The authors hypothesize that some children have a global temporal impairment leading to dysfunctional motor skills. This article checks whether temporal abnormalities detected on a simple tapping task correlate with temporal dysfunction during complex motor skills such as handwriting. Twenty-three school-aged children, 8-14 years (11.1 +/- 1.3 years), underwent tests to assess finger tapping and cursive handwriting. Handwriting samples were rated by experienced teachers. Children with abnormal tapping had lower handwriting rating scores. Temporal features were similar in both tasks; variability on the tapping test correlated with handwriting variability. Temporal variability was not significantly higher for children with poor penmanship as a whole but rather specific to the subgroup of children with a tapping abnormality. Poor penmanship could be attributed in certain children to global temporal impairment reflected as variable finger tapping and handwriting. Evaluation of dysfunctional motor performance should include temporal aspects, and further studies are needed to better delineate and address treatment of "dysrhythmia."