History
It is necessary to improve self-awareness and personal development among individuals when they are in a group. The ‘Johari’ window model is a convenient method used to achieve this task of understanding and enhancing communication between the members in a group. American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham developed this model in 1955. The idea was derived as the upshot of the group dynamics in University of California and was later improved by Joseph Luft. The name ‘Johari’ came from joining their first two names. This model is also denoted as feedback/disclosure model of self-awareness.
Introduction
The Johari window model is used to enhance the individual’s perception on others. This model is based on two ideas- trust can be acquired by revealing information about you to others and learning yourselves from their feedbacks. Each person is represented by the Johari model through four quadrants or window pane. Each four window panes signifies personal information, feelings, motivation and whether that information is known or unknown to oneself or others in four viewpoints.
The Johari Window Model
The method of conveying and accepting feedback is interpreted in this model. A Johari is represented as a common window with four panes. Two of these panes represent self and the other two represent the part unknown to self but to others. The information transfers from one pane to the other as the result of mutual trust which can be achieved through socializing and the feedback got from other members of the group.
1. Open/self-area or arena – Here the information about the person his attitudes, behaviour, emotions, feelings, skills and views will be known by the person as well as by others. This is mainly the area where all the communications occur and the larger the arena becomes the more effectual and dynamic the relationship will be. ‘Feedback solicitation’ is a process which occurs by understanding and listening to the feedback from another person. Through this way the open area can be increased horizontally decreasing the blind spot. The size of the arena can also be increased downwards and thus by reducing the hidden and unknown areas through revealing one’s feelings to other person.
2. Blind self or blind spot – Information about yourselves that others know in a group but you will be unaware of it. Others may interpret yourselves differently than you expect. The blind spot is reduced for an efficient communication through seeking feedback from others.
3. Hidden area or façade – Information that is known to you but will be kept unknown from others. This can be any personal information which you feel reluctant to reveal. This includes feelings, past experiences, fears, secrets etc. we keep some of our feelings and information as private as it affects the relationships and thus the hidden area must be reduced by moving the information to the open areas.
4. Unknown area – The Information which are unaware to yourselves as well as others. This includes the information, feelings, capabilities, talents etc. This can be due to traumatic past experiences or events which can be unknown for a lifetime. The person will be unaware till he discovers his hidden qualities and capabilities or through observation of others. Open communication is also an effective way to decrease the unknown area and thus to communicate effectively.
Example
Linda got a job in an organization. Her co-workers knew a little about her and in this context the unknown and hidden areas will be larger and the open area will be small. As the others don’t know much about her the blind spot also will be smaller and the model will be as shown in Figure 1.
Linda spent most of her free time sketching in the office which was her preferred pastime and her co-workers found her very shy and elusive. With that evaluation she got the idea how she was and tried to be more talkative and interacted more with other co-workers. This helped her to increase her open area and thus making the hidden and unknown areas smaller. (Figure 2)
Through the feedback Linda got from her co-workers she could perform well in the office and her real capacity could be obtained as a result of an effective interaction among the colleagues.
This is very excited and am ready for participation in this Johari model. I wonder where to find a specific model?
MANY THANKS TO LUFT N INGHAM FOR DEVELOPING THIS MODEL
really understandable and helpful
Very educative model indeed. I am very happy to read through it
its existing!!! well the Johari window panel is very rich. and its a must read thing
Will try it, but it seems reasonable and pragmatic
Generally i appriciate much
Am I boxed-in to one of these four boxes? Can I take a test, to see where I fall?
Thank you
I found it really helpful.
very good indeed am happy to read it.
“Good Stuff”
Wow such a an amazing model…you should try it out
I am so pleased for Johari Window. This model is going to help me icrease open area horrizontaly and reduce the size of blind spot are by allowing others to give me feedback abou my feelings, attitudebehavour, emmotions, skills and views. And i will put more efforts to reveal what i am having to others , i will start to be talkative , interractive participate in socia activies . Lastly I will minimise unkonown are by motivate others to be more active by being involvedin social activities
What a great theory/model! I was introduced to this in an addiction recovery setting where most people are newly acquainted. I don’t feel like the aforementioned setting would be a good one to try this but would love to on an individual or close group setting.
Blessed
really undastablee in a johari window it helpfull
Very Good model to understand the importance of interaction and to find out the Blind and unknown spot in yourself.
The theory is so exciting and educative for effective communication in our societies.
Informative , useful, easy to follow
made me consious of my surroundings and how to be self aare for personal and group development
i like it…it is more relevant
This is very insightful and i appreciate. But in a situation where there is nothing hidden so nothing to reveal you are not just the talking type what do you do.
Exciting and worth implementing.
Revealing the Blind Spot will be most exciting!!!
And, I think, getting the things out from Unknown is a challenge!
Also, there should be something remained in the Hidden area…
You know, that would explain why people develop new talents and other extremities later in life.
Nice presentation with simple words which is easy to understand. Thank you so much
This Model extends to a whole new dimension cyber space. how does that work?
Its quite educative and eye opener to many…….its good model. Apply immediately
very interesting. but I think it’s not as easy as it seems. thank you for sharing that.
It supports cyber security….amazing!
Well planned and good notes to build up a mind, i’ve learnt more from johari
Very insightful and well researched. This model should be included in the Life Skills & Life Orientation curriculum at school (basic education) level. It will give children a chance to improve their strengths and work on their weaknesses.
Finding the blind spot is really exhilarating.
This has helped me reveal and improve on how to categorise people in my organisation and i hope it will help to improve on my open area.
So good!
Very informative and helpful to me about Johari Window model. Thank you
This is very informative. Thanks for the article
The concept is interesting and should be imparted to all employees in organizations.
Applying the communication theory as a skill , I have effectively manage communication with groups and communities in public health and also, institutional colleague relationship
to enhance quality feedbacks to improve on life and community leadership relationship!
Does this answer the Four windows of personality question?
The Zohari Window is explained very simple to understand. Thanks a lot.
The model is very educative but calculative such that many can not comprehend it, it is not all that easy going. My ernest appreciation to the proponders
i am pleased by the rich content in this article of Johari. as a counseling psychologist, i find myself incorporating most of it to bring out the essence of how important it is for my clients to communicate effectively and also get to be understood well as the journey of assistance begins. thanks for the inspiration
It was the great theory of johari window.
Thankyou for providing the notes of these theory.
Its wonderful !
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION ON THE JOHARI WINDOW, VERY USEFUL. I AM TRYING TO RELATE IT TO EFFICIENT CUSTOMER CARE.
It’s a very useful and relevant model.
Kindest thanks to the author/s of the model
I came across this model, during a leadership workshop. Have used it to understanding myself, better. When you learn to accept your self, and forgive yourself for all your weaknesses, you get better dealing with anyone, cause you keep ego, out of the equation.
Amazing facts thank you much
Very understandable nice to meet that area