Craniognomic

/ˌkreɪniəɡˈnɑːmɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to the practice of determining character, intelligence, or personality from the shape and features of the skull.

Etymology

From Greek 'kranion' (skull) + 'gnomikos' (relating to knowledge/judgment). This term emerged in phrenology's heyday during the 19th century as pseudoscientists tried to map personality to skull bumps.

Kelly Says

Craniognomic and craniognomy look like real science but they're actually the vocabulary of phrenology—a thoroughly debunked pseudoscience that shows how passionately people can believe measurements justify discrimination.

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