I figured you would be 
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Interesting topic @AnnieS . I was an avid “colouring book” fan as a child, I got my mum to buy me them all the time. I remember my Osmond Family coloring book, and I definitely made an effort not to go outside the lines, I just wouldn’t have it any other way! 
So that means I’m an inside the lines person, I had never thought about this being so significant, what an insight!
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Rose it makes me wonder whether anyone has conducted a study of this. It’s certainly an interesting topic for a psychology dissertation or PHD!
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One group of people at work that I found difficult to work with were the people who proudly called themselves ideas people who think outside the box. I do not know what their colouring skills were. I do know that they rarely seemed to knuckle down and do actual work once the idea was formed into a plan. And even getting the outside the box idea into something workable was never easy … and not always successful. But I guess it takes a mix of all sorts to make a team.
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It’s funny you should say that Lincs, because despite not enjoying colouring inside the lines, I feel the same about think outside the box people.
I did learn to colour inside the lines and force myself to conform to rules and boundaries, but it’s not my favourite thing to be confined in any process, yet I’m a very grounded individual who is both creative and gets things done. Past personality tests I’ve completed have shown a strong leaning in two opposite directions (which I understand demonstrate internal conflict). Yet it’s helped me to achieve in my career (despite always thinking I’m stupid!)
I think that there’s a lot to be said for how the inside/outside the line metaphor as applied to all areas of science, engineering, innovation, etc. Some of the most revolutionary ideas in medicine, science et al, have been through individuals not confined to the line and thinking outside the scope of the rigid systems we have in place to check and destroy progress in scientific and other ventures. Yet the need for control is incredibly important so that humanity doesn’t send itself down the plughole.
When I posted this topic I didn’t expect it to be such a thought-provoking one!
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I wonder whether a colouring book and pencils should be given to candidates on their arrival for interview - it would make an interesting discussion during interview once they had filled in their pictures. When I was on interview panels for prospective new staff at the school where I taught the whole experience was spread over two days - apart from classroom observation time the candidates did quite a bit of waiting around so colouring would serve two purposes, keeping them occupied and then discussion of their colouring technique during formal interviews!
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I’m not sure that colouring inside or outside the lines really says anything about person.
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My thoughts exactly Mart…
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Oh, you spoil sports! 
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I’ll bet there are those who colour or coloured exactly on the lines as well. I was an inside line lad but might occasionally take a wobble outside. Maybe means I’m a stable conforming type but likely to throw the odd wobbly from time to time. 
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At a guess it can indicate a child’s hand - eye coordination and their control of fine movements.
It may also be an indicator of the level of attention a child can commit to one task - a lack of being able to apply concentration can be a sign of a number of issues.
Colouring within lines is a sign of improving spatial skills.
A complete inability to keep within the colouring lines which does not change over time is a known indicator of a future politician. (Sorry, made that one up.)
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How steady the colouring is could be a hand/eye coordination indication whether inside, outside or on the line. I don’t think it indicates anything about personality.
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This doesn’t surprise me a bit. With those qualities, you must be everyone’s favorite person around the dinner table.
@Lincolnshire and @Mart your points are exactly why coloring should never be used as a school screening.
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I think many factors make up a persons personality, parents, wealth, location, childhood trauma, health, the company one keeps and their class status…etc etc…
I think drawing inside the lines bears no rational influence on a persons personality or future…
psychologists and amatuer psychologists tend to over think things. 
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And that over-thinking, how does that make you feel?
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I thought given your general anti-line stance you’d be more interested in this OGF.
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To be honest Annie, I don’t fully understand the topic. I will say one thing though…I am meticulous with my drawing and would stay well within the confines of the lines, however my life is a different kettle of fish entirely…
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Hi
I suffered from very severe PTSD , not unusual in my job at that time, particularly if you where a son, husband, brother or father.
It caused a very severe anger in me at that time against those who had caused it.
Not a sensible state of mind as you could have done something stupid which would have prevented them being dealt with legally and walking free.
Adult colouring books formed a key part of my treatment.
Initially that annoyed me, but it worked.
It diverted your thought processes so you concentrated on the lines, targeting you on doing things accurately and effectively and not just angrily colouring the picture in quickly.
I had always been very suspicious and cynical about the mindbenders, the psychiatrists and phycologists, what did they know , they had not been there and suffered.
It turned out that they did know things and could help managing things to get the right endings to things, that is we could deal with people legally.
They do not know everything however.
I and others are now wary of going out so as to avoid such situations, unlikely as they may be now we are retired.
Colouring between the lines does however make life better for both us and others.
I hope I have explained myself properly.
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Most perfectly 
. Losing yourself in a task like coloring is called “flow” which increases the feel-good transmitters in neurons and reduces cortisol from the adrenal glands, the stress hormone that can trigger fight or flight and negative mood.
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