The Johari Window

Introduction

Coined by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham, the Johari Window is a useful model for
examining how effective interpersonal communication skills could be developed. It is a useful
tool useful tool for illustrating and improving self-awareness, and mutual understanding i.e.
rapport, between individuals and between individuals within a group. Our self- awareness
affects our self-perception, self-concept and self-image.

Self awareness: being aware of your strengths and weaknesses

Self-perception: how you view yourself is very important

Self-concept: Knowledge of oneself can take you a long way

Self-image: How you portray yourself to your ‘self’ and others is very crucial to for the
development of successful and effective interpersonal relationships

According to Jo and Hari, the Window actually represents information - feelings, experience,
views, attitudes, skills, intentions, motivation, etc - within or about a person - in relation to their
group, from four perspectives, which are variously referred to as areas, quadrants or arenas.
These are described and illustrated later. First let’s look at two very important aspects.

Two important aspects are emphasized by Jo and Hari, Self-Disclosure and Feedback.

Self Disclosure

 It is important to understand the role of self-disclosure. This is revealing information

about yourself to others that is not readily known by them
 Degrees of self-disclosure:

 relatively safe (revealing your hobbies)

 personal topics your likes and dislikes)
 risky information (your deepest thoughts, fantasies, ambitions)

 Never forget the crucial element in self-disclosure: Trust. Typically, as relationships

deepen and trust is established, self-disclosure increases. You must never reveal
information that might put you at risk. This is because self-disclosure can put us in
vulnerable positions. You never know how the information is going to be used by your
interlocutor.

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  Also very important is the rule of reciprocity. The process of self-disclosure should be
two-way. You shouldn’t allow an imbalance in the relationship because if you self
disclose more you may feel vulnerable as a result of sharing personal information while
the other person has not.

Question

When might self-disclosure not be appropriate or desirable? (Try to think of specific

instances or examples)

The Four Window panes

http://www.managementstudyguide.com/johari-window.htm

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Free (public) self

 Information that is usually free to people about yourself

Blind self

 Information known to others but not known to oneself, hence it is a blind spot for an
individual, includes mannerisms and other aspects of behaviour which you are unaware

Hidden (private) self

 Information you choose to reveal to others or keep hidden

Unknown self

 Information not known consciously by yourself such as deep psychological needs,

unconscious fears and desires

HOW IT ALL WORKS

As a relationship develops, the free self window pane may increase in size as you disclose
information about yourself to the other person. The more you self-disclose, the more the pane
will increase and the hidden (private) pane decreases.

As you disclose information the more likely your interlocutor will give you feedback and the
size of the Blind self window pane decreases and the free self window size increases, AND the
more likely the relationship develops.

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REMEMBER

1. For a relationship to develop, there has to be reciprocity between participants, the more
they disclose information to one another, the more likely their open selves increase and
thus we say they have an open relationship.
2. The window panes: Free self, Blind self and Hidden self will differ in sizes depending on
the communication situations or relationships one has with different people

Activities

a. Illustrate the relationships you have with: your father, your mother, best friend and
a class mate.
b. Go to kevan.org/Johari and take the online test

c. Interpersonal style questionnaire

For each of the following 18 pair of statements distribute three points between the two
alternative A and B, based on how you usually interact with others in everyday situations,
although some pairs of statements may seem equally true for you behavior most of the
time.

 If A is very characteristic of you and B is very uncharacteristic, write 1 next to A and 0 next
to B.
 If A is more characteristic of you and B, but you engage in A sometimes write 2 next to B
and 1 next to B.
 If B is more characteristic of you and A, but you engage in B sometimes write 2 next to A
and 1 next to A.
 If B is very characteristic of you and A is very uncharacteristic write 3 next to B and 0 next
to A.

Be sure that the numbers of you assign to each pair of statements in the space provided add
up to three.

SL # ITEM
I am usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationship
A
with them
1
I am usually open to getting to know people personally and establishing relationship
B
with them

2 A I usually react slowly and deliberately.

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 B I usually react quickly and spontaneously.

A I am usually guarded about other people use of my time

3
B I am usually open to other people's use of my time.

A I usually introduce myself at social gatherings.

4
B I usually wait for others to introduce themselves to me at social gathering

I usually focus my conversation on the interests of the parties involved even if this
A
means that the conversations stray from the business or subject at hand
5

B I am usually focus my conversation on the tasks issue business or subject at hand.

A I am usually not assertive and I can be patient with a slow space

6
B I am usually assertive and at time I can be patient with a slow space

A I usually make decision based on fact or evidence

7
B I usually make decision based on feelings, experiences, relationships

A I usually contribute frequently to group conversations

8
B I usually contribute infrequently to group conversations

A I usually prefer to work with and through others, providing support when possible
9
I usually prefer to work independently or dictate the conditions in terms of problem
B
solving

A I usually ask questions or speak more tentatively and indirectly

10
B I usually make empathetic statements or directly express opinions.

A I usually focus primarily on the idea, concept, or results.

11
B I usually focus primarily on the person, interaction and feelings.

12 A I usually use gestures, facial expressions, and voice intonation to emphasize points

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 I usually do not use gestures, facial expressions and voice intonation to emphasize
B
points

A I usually accept others' point of you (ideas, feelings and concerns)

13
B I usually do not accept others' point of you (ideas, feelings and concerns)

A I usually respond to risk and change in a cautious or predictable manner

14
B I usually respond to risk and change in a dynamic and predictable manner

I usually prefer to keep my personal feeling and thought to myself sharing only
A
when I wish to do so.
15
B I usually find it natural and easy to share and discuss my feeling with others.

A I usually seek out new or different experiences and situations

16
B I usually chose known or similar situation and relationships.

A I am usually responsive to others agendas interests and concerns.

17
B I am usually directed toward my own agendas interceders and concerns.

A I usually respond to conflict slowly and indirectly.

18
B I usually respond to conflict quickly and directly.

Interpretation

Four different behavioral style or habit of relating to others can be discerned by how direct
and open you are.

 If you score is highest on open and direct, you are an assertive and relationship-oriented.
 If your score is highest on self contained and direct you are an assertive and task oriented
director.
 If you score is highest on in- direct and self contained you are a task oriented and low
assertive thinker.
 If your score is highest on indirect and open you are a low assertive and relationship
oriented relater

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 A (open) B (SELF CONTAINED)
Item 1-9
Your score
Item 10-18 A (indirect) B (Direct)
Your score

Downloaded and adapted from: http://www.citehr.com/239613-johari-window-role-plays-activities-

doc-download.html

Please go to the above website for further information about the questionnaire.

Other References
http://www.businessballs.com/johariwindowmodel.htm

The Communications Kit (1989) Cambridge University Press; Cambridge

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