Illusory correlations in graphological inference

The authors investigate the illusory correlation phenomenon as a possible c ontributor to the persistence of graphology's use to predict personality. P articipants unfamiliar with graphology inspected handwriting samples paired with fabricated personality profiles. In Experiment 1, handwriting samples and personality profiles were randomly paired. In Experiment 2, discernibl e correlations near unity were set between targeted handwriting-feature-per sonality-trait pairs in a congruent or incongruent direction with grapholog ists' claims. In both experiments, participants' judgments of the correlati on between designated handwriting-feature-personality-trait pairs agreed wi th graphologists' claims, even after controlling for their actual statistic al association. Semantic association between words used to describe handwri ting features and personality traits was the source of biases in perceived correlation. Results may partially account for continued use of graphology despite overwhelming evidence against its predictive validity.