Codes of Conduct

1
Codes of Conduct Graphology

• by
• Nigel Bradley
• University of Westminster

2
Introduction

• The British Institute of Graphologists has ten
  objects and aims, one of these is
• to establish a binding code of ethical behaviour
  for all members.

3
Ethics

• Graphologists must consider what is right and
  what is wrong.
• Ethics are important for trust and good working
  relationships

4
Method

• Inspection of Ethics in graphology
• in other professions
• Emphasis on the UK, France, Italy Switzerland.

5
Descartes (15961650)

• Descartes Rule of Change says "If an action
  cannot be taken repeatedly, then it is not right
  to be taken at any time"
• An analysis that ridicules may work once but it
  does not mean that it is right to do it again.

6
Immanuel Kant (17241804)

• Kants Categorical Imperative philosophy says "If
  an action is not right for everyone to take, then
  it is not right for anyone"
• So if everyone were to carry out that action, the
  whole of society would turn to chaos.

7
Main uses of graphology.

• Corporate recruitment, team-building, coaching,
  career management, promotion
• Private domestic counselling marriage guidance,
  business partnership compatibility, scholastic or
  vocational guidance.
• Genealogy, entertainment, legal work
• Pre-employment screening of job applications is
  the most important, and ethical guidelines have
  really been created for this sector.

8
Transparency

• Transparency means we have an understanding of
  the purpose for collecting data and how the data
  will be used.
• This leads naturally to the idea of consent.
• Consent has been integrated into data protection
  guidelines.

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Consent

• Lack of consent
• Participants lack knowledge. Deception or
  non-disclosure of purpose may be used to collect
  handwriting specimens.
• Implied consent
• Participants do not fully understand their
  rights. Graphologist assumes consent was given by
  the mere submission of a specimen.
• Informed consent
• Participants consents are given freely and based
  on full information about their rights and
  knowledge of how the specimen will be used

10
Do we need consent?

• There is a compelling argument to say that
  handwriting is public American law has examined
  this
• Handwriting, like speech, is repeatedly shown to
  the public and there is no more expectation of
  privacy in the physical characteristics of a
  writing than there is in the quality of his
  voice
• US vs. Mara 410 US 19, 35 L ED zd 99 (1973).

11
Is handwriting private?

• Other parties argue that handwriting should be
  private to the individual in Israel Rudi Danor
  wrote (4 Feb 1988)
• in a recent court case, the judge has considered
  a report of a graphologist an illegal invasion of
  privacy and judged accordingly.

12
The law, agreed practice and good practice.

• Surely it is good practice to secure consent
• i.e. explain the purpose before collecting a
  specimen
• Then the writer can make an informed decision to
  cooperate.

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Milestones
14
Milestones
1946 - GGCF
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Milestones
16
Milestones
1946 - GGCF
1983 - BIG
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Milestones
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Milestones
1946 - GGCF
1983 - BIG
1990 - ADEG
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Milestones
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Milestones
1946 - GGCF
1983 -BIG
1990 - ADEG
1994 USA
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Code similarities

• Terms used in the code are defined.
• Public confidence in the discipline shall not be
  intentionally abused.
• No activity will be misrepresented as the
  discipline
• All confidential information and material
  relating to a client to be held in strict
  confidence

22
Code similarities

• Considerations made for minors, old, sick.
• Reporting must distinguish between results and
  interpretation.
• Conclusions that are inconsistent with evidence
  shall not be knowingly communicated.
• Members will not make anyone else break the code
  and non-members are invited to accept the code
• National law or nationally agreed standards apply
  before the code.

23
Principles of the Data Protection Act 1998

• Personal data shall
• be processed fairly and lawfully.
• be obtained only for one or more specified and
  lawful purposes
• not be processed in any manner incompatible with
  that purpose or those purposes.
• be adequate, relevant and not excessive.
• be accurate and where necessary kept up to date.
• not be kept for longer than is necessary for that
  purpose.

24
Principles of the Data Protection Act 1998

• Personal data shall be processed according to the
  rights of data subjects.
• Appropriate technical and organisational measures
  shall be taken against unauthorised or unlawful
  processing of personal data and against
  accidental loss or destruction or damage to
  personal data.
• not be transferred to a country / territory
  outside the EEA unless the country ensures an
  adequate level of protection for the rights and
  freedoms of data subjects.

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Interesting Case
26
Switzerland

• Job applicants can expect employers to keep their
  graphological report with their personnel files. 
• The Swiss Federal Data Protection Commissioner
  (SDP) say that an employee can view and have a
  copy of their graphological report.
• The SSG/SGG code goes further and specifies that
  the writer can receive it, without monetary
  charge.

27
Switzerland

• Graphological reports must be destroyed by
  companies who do not employ candidates.
• For those who were employed, at the termination
  of employment the graphological report must be
  destroyed.
• (Swiss Federal Data Protection Commissioner
  (SDP) guidelines 4.4)

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An Opportunity

• An opportunity exists for graphologists to take
  control over their reports
• It is possible to explain the basis of the
  report, indirectly highlighting limitations
• Health warnings exist for most products and
  services sold today
• They are recommended for graphology.

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Health Warnings

• The name of the analyst
• The material used for the analysis. Whether made
  from an original, a photocopy, a fax or scan
• The date of specimen date of birth of the
  subject

30
Health Warnings

• The handedness of the subject
• The writing instrument used
• A use by date.
• Whether the subject gave informed consent
• Any other relevant information.

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Summary
32
Summary

• Codes have similarities
• Codes are becoming legal requirements
• Switzerland is a good example of the future
• Health warnings are recommended

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Codes of Conduct for Graphology in Europe

• By Nigel Bradley, University of Westminster.
• Email bradlen_at_wmin.ac.uk
• Prepared for the Graphology Symposium, Oxford, UK
  3 Sept 2005.