| The author | Dr David A Holmes is Director of the Forensic Research Group, Senior Learning & Teaching Fellow at the Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University |
We cannot really help this as certain patterns run through us like words through Blackpool rock. Perhaps, when not really listening to a radio programme, people may concentrate on doodling, producing amateur art, which may reveal our sense of style, likes and hates. However, during a fast moving broadcast or my riveting lectures, listeners have little attention to spare on a doodle and much more of their inner selves may unconsciously spill onto the page. Faces v Squares & Circles
 | | Doodle art |
There is quite a divide between those doodlers who portray people and those who doodle inanimate shapes with the former indicating, yes you guessed, someone who relates more to people, a more human and social doodler. The more realistic the portrayal and the more that the face features, then the more of a people person you are. If the face is a self-portrait you could be having one of those obsessive self-absorbed moments. There can be symmetry in squares, often clear lines with no ‘errors’. Here is someone who can operate in chaos without being sucked in. Perhaps a little obsessive, but potentially you are a reliable type of individual. Circles show a balance in both doodle and life, with a sense of completeness. Circles are organised, simple and thus possibly the essence of design culture. Spirals are . . . something else! Random squiggles
 | | Doodle art |
Some doodlers start with an idea and simply draw something in a planned but passive way, ‘pure doodlers’ allow things to emerge almost randomly from their scribbles. Perhaps this was once a bored child who saw faces in the curtain patterns or clouds, who now sees faces or buildings emerge from a few scratches and lines on a scrap of paper. Houses
 | | Doodle art |
Unpretentious and someone who doesn’t like risk There is also evidence of careful planning and tidiness in thinking with perhaps a lack of creative imagination. Flowers I could say you tended to be away with the faeries and there may be a thread of truth in this. I think essentially you are a nice person. By this, I mean there is little malice or jealousy in your nature. You may even be successful, even powerful, in your career but you got there by helping others not treading on them. Clearly Doodlology is more art than science and I would not stake my reputation on interpretations. However, we do leave feint trails of meaning in our wake and adding interpretation can be a lot more entertaining than filling in personality questionnaires! Guest Dr Holmes was a guest on the Phil Wood programme on BBC GMR. Click the link on the right hand side of the page to listen again to the interview. | 
