According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, Graphology is the study and analysis of handwriting especially in relation to human psychology. In the medical field, it can be used to refer to the study of handwriting as an aid in diagnosis and tracking of diseases of the brain and nervous system. The term is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to forensic document examination. Well, little did we know, there’s a whole part of graphology that studies specifically and exclusively DOODLING!!! A little excursion into the exciting world of psychology, anybody?

Here are several common types of doodles, dissected and analyzed by the known expert in the field of Doodology, ©Anna Koren:

(sarcastic comments in parenthesis, italicized, by yours truly ;-))

1. GEOMETRICAL SHAPES

Triangles, squares, pattern formations: organized brain, clear thinking process and planning skills, meticulous planning on one’s steps, efficiency, purposefulness (Vertical, small and unconnected writing: sanguine and\or phlegmatic – LE SENNE; thinking type – JUNG.)

(This sounds like genuine scientific lingo to me (long fancy words, abstract enough meaning) No complaints here)

2. VARIOUS TYPES

Stars, sun, moon, celestial bodies: optimism, ambition, a need to prove and advertise oneself (Large writing, large differences of lengths, large initial letter, rising lines, choleric type – LE SENNE.)

(Now, “various types” is a bit too abstract for my taste, especially when the actual samples are all really what it says later on – celestial bodies, but let’s not neat pick in vain. Who would’ve thought, that drawing stars and sun is for the optimistic dreamers!!? Not me!)

3. ABSTRACT SHAPES

Tension, difficulty and disturbances in concentration. (Inconsistent spacing between words and letters, tense writing, erratic, sentimental type – LE SENNE.)

(This is a bit better, although as far as I’m concerned, “abstract shapes” are the bread and butter of the common doodling, which is usually done to relieve stress, so, again, nothing new to doodle home about…)

4. GAMES

Noughts and crosses, chess: competitive, plays to win (Large differences of lengths, quick writing, connected, connecting it’s in different parts of a word, connection between two words, impassioned and/or nervous types – LE SENNE.)

(OMG, omg, those who draw games are competitive!!! Now, THAT’s deep!)

5. DRAWING GOOD-LOOKING FACES

Love of people, sees the positive in people and situations, optimistic, humane, good-natured, sensitive to his fellowmen, capacity to show empathy, friendly, enjoys social activities and events (Large middle zone, connected writing, medium right margins, rightward slant, choleric type – LE SENNE; feeling-extravert type – JUNG). He is interested in other people, has a need for closeness and social involvement. He has a keen sense for aesthetics, sensitivity and consideration in others.

(I’m sorry guys, I don’t mean to sound snobbish, don’t those who draw pretty faces… do so just because they can? I don’t mean artist-artists here, but just us, the regular folk? Huh?)

6. DRAWING FACES WITH OPEN MOUTHS

Talkative, loves the sound of his own voice.
(Invasive, large writing, connected, choleric type – LE SENNE.)

(You don’t say!!! Really? How in the world did you come to this conclusion?)

7. DRAWING UGLY FACES

Suspicious, lacks “joie de vivre”, bitter, dislikes people, doesn’t trust them, rebellious, lacks self-confidence, does not delegate and does not work well in a team. Bad-tempered, feels offended and deprived. (Small writing, narrow, tense, straight right margins, tension in the writing). He has a negative approach, looks for the worst in everyone and every circumstance and does not enjoy himself. He is highly judgmental, defensive, and tends to distort reality as a result of his “dark” view of things.

(Note to self: draws ugly faces=bitter, self-depreciating looooooser… Good to know! But what if he poor chap just isn’t a good artist??? Ever thought of that?)

8. ARROWS AND LADDERS

Much ambition; a strong drive to prove himself; the end, in his opinion, justifies the means. (Large differences of lengths, large writing, impassioned type – LE SENNE). Impatient for prolonged processes and aims for the nearest goal.

(ladder=ambition. Makes sense. How corporate-thinking of them)

9. DRAWING HOUSES

Search for a home. A need for family and willingness to invest in his family. A need for a spiritual shelter and search of self. Feelings of insecurity (could be temporary).

(Aaaa, this is cute… Drawing houses means investing in the family… REAL ESTATE MARKET IS DOWN, people, DOWN!!!! Wake up!!!)

10. MUSICAL NOTES

Love of music.
(Are you serious?!!!)

11. REPETITIVE SHAPES

Patience, perseverance, methodical, developed ability to concentrate. (Homogeneous writing, stable, constant, phlegmatic type – LE SENNE.)

(Ok, whatever you say, doc…)

12. PLANTS, FLOWERPOTS, FLOWERS

Friendly, sociable (motifs used extensively by social workers), sensitive, humane, warm, open. (Choleric type – LE SENNE.)

(Sure, sure…)

13. PUPPIES, CUBS, AND ANIMALS

Likes to defend others (Social workers). Love of animals, A need to take under his protection. Sensitivity, consideration. Needs peace of mind.

(who doesn’t need peace of mind?… Why are the animal lovers so special?)

14. HEARTS

Sentimentalist; when in love, there is an understandable tendency to sketch hearts.

(Aha, especially if you’re a 13 y.o. girl and nobody “gets you” better than Brad Pitt on that poster over your bed…)

15. VARIOUS TRAVEL VEHICLES

Desire to travel, an urgent need for a holiday.

(I think I’m running out of sarcasm here. Planes, boats and automobiles, anybody?)

16. BOOKS BALANCED ONE ON TOP ON ANOTHER; BUILDING RESTING ON A BRICK OR TWO

A person who is under great stress and under the impression that the smallest of tremors might cause him to collapse.

( Let me try this one: “Desperately needs peace of mind… and a bigger piece of paper”)

17. FOOD

Person who likes to eat or who is dieting.

(Hm… What if I’m a person who likes to eat while on a diet? And what if I’m drawing cucumbers? Should I go straight to paragraph 21 below, of can I just chill out here?)

18. BARS

A sense of suffocation, a need to escape, a desire for freedom, a feeling that his actions are restricted.

(I think it’s time to bother that parole board again…)

19. PISTOLS, CANNONS, SWORDS

Competitiveness, the need to prove virility, sexuality. (Lower zone which is very developed of inhibited.)

(I didn’t see this one coming… I don’t even understand what the phrase in parenthesis means. So, we must be on the right track.)

20. STAIRS

 Ambition, a need to advance.

(Are we back to ladders? Ambition my ass. Stairs are good to doodle when you have a nice quad ruled notebook.)

21. PHALLIC SHAPES

Strong libido, sexuality. A need to demonstrate masculinity.
(NO WAY!!!!!!)

On this pleasant note, I will leave you, my dear readers, to doodle, to contemplate and to analyze. There’s more fun stuff where all of this came from. And stay away from the cucumbers. I can swear, they spell trouble!!!!