Health
What Is Phrenology? Here's What The Shape Of Your Skull Says About You
Phrenology, the study of the skull's contours, may tell you about your character – or maybe it won't. Here's what science has to say about it.
By Nicole Dominique3 min read
Phrenology – the method of examining the shape and contours of the skull – has returned to the public consciousness. Franz Joseph Gall developed the theory in 1796, believing the cranium had indications of character and mental capabilities. The study became influential in the 19th century but was discredited as a theory in the 1840s. The term has also been labeled "pseudoscience" in modern times, and the same goes for physiognomy (a practice that assesses someone's personality based on their face).