Narcissists tend to have bigger signatures, study says

Hulton Archive via Getty Images, file

4th July 1776: The signatures on the Declaration of Independence, a document in which American colonists proclaimed their political separation from British rule. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

By Markham Heid, Men's Health

 

John Hancock must have been an egomaniac. Large signatures are common among narcissists, finds new research from the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School and the University of Maryland. The study examined the signatures of more than 600 CEOs and found that the most outsized signers were among the highest paid, but were also more likely to run their companies into the ground. Those factors indicate an inflated sense of self, a disregard for people's input, and other narcissistic tendencies, explains study author Nicholas Seybert, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Maryland. (Okay, it isn't a man's world anymore. Narcissism notwithstanding, are there any advantages to being guy?)

Past research shows large signatures reveal high self-esteem and social dominance among the general public. Why? People see a signature as a stand-in for themselves, and a bigger, more prominent moniker reveals a person's larger-than-average self-regard, the research explains. If you have a big autograph, you're not necessarily a narcissist--though you probably are an alpha male, Seybert says. But when applied to CEOs--a group already likely to favor people with inflated egos--big signatures are also likely to reveal narcissistic traits. (Avoid the 5 ways to ruin a first impression, and ace that crucial first date.)

Here are more strange clues into your personality.

If you love boiled eggs, you're more likely to be messy.
Boiled egg lovers are more disorganized and more likely to get divorced, shows a study of 1,100 people funded by the British Egg Industry Council and published by Mindlab International. Fried egg fans have the highest sex drive, the study finds. Poached-egg eaters are outgoing and happy, scrambled aficionados are guarded, and omelet lovers are self-disciplined, the study says.

If you drive a red car, you're more reckless.
People who drive red cars are more aggressive and reckless, shows a study from CW Marketing Research. The Oregon-based firm also found people with green cars have the most positive outlook on life, dark blue or silver-car owners are upbeat, and black car owners lack self-confidence. Why? A growing body of research shows certain visual cues--such as colors--are tied to emotional and behavioral cues in your brain. These cues can influence the colors you find appealing depending on your personality type, according to a University of Cambridge study. (And while you're in the car, make sure to eat smart. Grab a copy of Eat This, Not That! 2013 for your next road trip.)

If you have too many Post-it Notes, you're probably overwhelmed.
An empty or unpersonalized desk indicates a lack of dedication or job dissatisfaction, according to a University of Texas study. Excessive Post-it Notes mean you're overwhelmed, while a plant proves you have no plans to leave your gig, the UT study shows. The researchers say people see their personal space as extensions of themselves, and so how they arrange or design those spaces provide clues to their personalities. People who have candy bowls or lots of office supplies are more likely to be outgoing and social, and motivational items often reveal a worker who pushes himself, the study adds.

If you love Metallica, you're more likely to be lazy.
Classical, jazz, and heavy metal music lovers are all generally creative and at ease, but metal-heads are more likely to also be lazy and introverted, finds a study of 36,000 people from Scottish researchers. Blues fans tend to have high self-esteem, rap fans are pretty outgoing, and country lovers are generally hardworking, the study shows. Indie rock snobs tend to be harsh and lack self-esteem, the study found. (Discover the 6 crazy ways music improves your life.)

More from Men's Health: 
What Your Tweets Say About You
Find the Perfect Scent for Your Personality
What Your Drink Says About You


Want more weird health news? Find The Body Odd on Facebook.

Discuss this post

After reading this article, I have discovered that I am messy, divorced, have a large sex drive, am outgoing, happy, guarded, self disciplined, upbeat, and have high self esteem. I'm doing better than I thought, they should have more articles such as this, then we'll all feel great about ourselves!

  • 6 votes
Reply#1 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:43 AM EST

This is news? I knew this when I was in the third grade from reading books about hand writing analysis.

    #1.1 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:36 PM EST
    Reply

    Sounds like horoscopes.

    I have a big signature because I have increased the size of all of my handwriting in direct proportion to my decreasing eyesight.

    • 14 votes
    Reply#2 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:53 AM EST

    jrsygrl,Good comments.Maybe that's why my signature keeps getting bigger.Must be my bifocals.

    • 1 vote
    #2.1 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:39 PM EST
    Reply

    I still get comments on how readable my signature is, only because I was taught to be proud of my name and use it proudly. Anyone who cannot sign their name legibly has a self esteem problem -- either that or they are hiding their inability to grasp the art of cursive writing.

    • 2 votes
    Reply#3 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:57 AM EST

    since my name usually appears PRINTED below my sig, I just use a flowing motion for minimum effort (OK, it's a scrawl - who cares?)

    • 3 votes
    #3.1 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 1:10 PM EST

    I was told as a teenager to have a messy signature so it's less likely to be forged.

    Of course, that wasn't a problem since I have dyspraxia anyway.

    • 2 votes
    #3.2 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 5:12 PM EST

    And some people write the obvious and get paid for it. Course they must sprinkle it with some bullsh^t too.

    • 1 vote
    #3.3 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 6:42 PM EST
    Reply

    another load of crap from the dimwit media.

    • 4 votes
    Reply#4 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:31 AM EST

    If you have blonde hair, you're likely to be a blonde.

    • 3 votes
    Reply#5 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:21 PM EST

    Not all dumbs are blond...

    • 4 votes
    #5.1 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 1:07 PM EST
    Reply

    Everybody has a little of narcissism in them, along with any other name for characteristics that can be named. Just be sure you don't over do anyone of them.

      Reply#6 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 2:02 PM EST

      The Oregon-based firm also found people with green cars have the most positive outlook on life

      Funny. Tell that to my friend, who has a green car and is constantly suicidal and in and out of the psych ward...

      • 2 votes
      Reply#7 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 2:35 PM EST

      So Hot How many guys are now hitting you up with, Hi I like fried eggs, the new pick up line.

        #7.1 - Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:46 PM EST
        Reply

        I love the "Metallica listeners are probably lazy" line. This is some of the most utter nonsense I've ever read. I have a large signature, and I love Metallica (from "... and Justice" back. New stuff ... not so much). I'm not narcissistic, and I work my keister off to provide for my family and make our house a castle.

        What a bunch of drivel.

        • 2 votes
        Reply#8 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 2:42 PM EST

        It's not the music it's the joint. Zeppelin!! 3X3X3 Chicago Stadium! Pass it around.

          #8.1 - Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:47 PM EST
          Reply

          oooh! Rocket Science: "If you have too many Post-it Notes, you're probably overwhelmed." I have some other predictions; perhaps someone will pay for researching them: 1) if you have too many kids, you'll be busy, 2) if you sleep with too many people, you'll get an STD, 3) if you spend too much, you'll be broke!

          • 2 votes
          Reply#9 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 3:10 PM EST

          What a load of malarkey.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#10 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 3:45 PM EST

          Horrible list. I think someone just made this stuff up.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#11 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 3:56 PM EST

          Oh no Rob it's all true! Try the fried egg line on any hot chick. If you really want to get to them say you like it over easy.

          • 1 vote
          #11.1 - Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:51 PM EST
          Reply

          Studies show that those who have a large, flamboyant signature are very artistic.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#12 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 4:11 PM EST

          I just scribble something for my signature so I don't have to spell out my long and excessively complicated Czechoslovakian last name.

          I'm also apparently lazy and introverted. Lazy, yes (I guess that explains my signature), but I don't think anyone would describe me as introverted. I'm quite the social metalhead.

          • 1 vote
          Reply#13 - Tue Feb 26, 2013 4:37 PM EST

          If you believe all the "research" posted on the Internet, you're more likely to be dumb as a post.

          • 2 votes
          Reply#14 - Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:46 AM EST

          I imagine that Obama's signature must take at least three pages if this study is true.

            Reply#15 - Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:45 PM EST
            You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
            As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.