Johari’s Window
The Johari Window, named after the first names of its inventors, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham, is
one of the most useful models describing the process of human interaction. A four paned “window,”
as illustrated above, divides personal awareness into four different types, as represented by its four
quadrants: open, hidden, blind, and unknown. The lines dividing the four panes are like window
shades, which can move as an interaction progresses.
In this model, each person is represented by their own window. Let’s describe mine:
1. The “open” quadrant represents things that both I know about myself, and that you know about
me. For example, I know my name, and so do you, and if you have explored some of my website,
you know some of my interests. The knowledge that the window represents, can include not only
factual information, but my feelings, motives, behaviours,wants,needs and desires…. Indeed, any
information describing who I am. When I first meet a new person, the size of the opening of this
the first quadrant is not very large, since there has been little time to exchange information. As the
process of getting to know one another continues, the window shades move down or to the right,
placing more information into the open window, as described below.
2. The “blind” quadrant represents things that you know about me, but that I am unaware of.
So, for example, we could be eating at a restaurant, and I may have unknowingly gotten some
food on my face. This information is in my blind quadrant because you can see it, but I cannot.
If you now tell me that I have something on my face, then the window shade moves to the right,
enlarging the open quadrant’s area. Now, I may also have blindspots with respect to many other
much more complex things. For example, perhaps in our ongoing conversation, you may notice
that eye contact seems to be lacking. You may not say anything, since you may not want to
Embarrass me, or you may draw your own inferences that perhaps I am being insincere. Then
the problem is, how can I get this information out in the open, since it may be affecting the level
of trust that is developing between us? How can I learn more about myself? Unfortunately, there
is no readily available answer. I may notice a slight hesitation on your part, and perhaps this may
lead to a question. But who knows if I will pick this up, or if your answer will be on the mark.
3. The “hidden” quadrant represents things that I know about myself, that you do not know.
So for example, I have not told you, nor mentioned anywhere on my website, what one of my
my favourite ice cream flavours is. This information is in my “hidden” quadrant. As soon as I tell
you that I love “Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia” flavoured ice cream, I am effectively pulling the window shade down, moving the information in my hidden quadrant and enlarging the open
quadrant’s area. Again, there are vast amounts of information, virtually my whole life’s story,
that has yet to be revealed to you. As we get to know and trust each other, I will then feel more
comfortable disclosing more intimate details about myself. This process is called: “Self-disclosure.”
4. The “unknown quadrant represents things that neither I know about myself, nor you know about
me. For example, I may disclose a dream that I had, and as we both attempt to understand its
significance, a new awareness may emerge, known to neither of us before the conversation took
place. Being placed in new situations often reveal new information not previously known to self or
others. For example, I learned of the Johari window at a workshop conducted by a Japanese
American psychiatrist in the early 1980’s. During this workshop, he created a safe atmosphere of care and trust between the various participants. Usually, I am terrified of speaking in public, but I was surprised to learn that in such an atmosphere, the task need not be so daunting. Prior to this event, I had viewed myself and others had also viewed me as being extremely shy. (The above now reminds me of a funny joke, which I cannot refrain from telling you. It is said that the number one fear that people have is speaking in public. Their number two fear is dying. And the number three fear that people have is dying while speaking in public.) Thus, a novel situation can trigger new awareness and personal growth. The process of moving previously unknown information into the open quadrant, thus enlarging its area, has been likened to Maslow’s concept of self-actualization. The process can also be viewed as a game, where the open quadrant is synonymous with the win-win situation.
Much, much more has been written on the Johari window model of human interaction. The process of enlarging the open quadrant is called self-disclosure, a give and take process between me and the people I interact with. Typically, as I share something about myself (moving information from my hidden quadrant into the open) and if the other party is interested in getting to know me, they will reciprocate, by similarly disclosing information in their hidden quadrant. Thus, an interaction between two parties can be modeled dynamically as two active Johari windows. For example, you may respond to my disclosure that I like “Cherry Garcia” by letting me know what your favourite ice cream is, or where a new ice cream shop is being built, kinds of information in your hidden quadrant.
Incidentally, it is fattening, so be careful on how much you eat!
We believe disclosure to be healthy, at least that’s the impression one gets after reading Freud.
However, Anita Kelly recently wrote that self-disclosure of personal secrets has its dangers. We are often better off not telling secrets regarding our sexual behavior, mental health problems or large-scale failures. “If you give people information about yourself, you give them power over you,”
she says. Monica Lewinsky’s disclosure to Linda Tripp and the ensuing scandal that enveloped President Clinton is a case in point. Be forewarned that most secrets get passed along to at least
two more parties. People also misjudge how others respond to secrets. Sometimes you get
negative feedback. For example, a women who reveals that she was raped may be seen in the
future as a victim, or by men as damaged goods. Now, if you must tell your secret to someone,
choose that person very carefully. Choose someone whose response will give you some insight
into your problem. Unfortunately, such a person is often hard to find. So if you cannot find anyone
appropriate, consider this: that keeping secrets is healthy and tasteful, because it is a way of
managing your identity, and indicates you are secure and have self-control. But it takes energy,
because you have to be of constant guard not to accidentally reveal something that is potentially
damaging.
As one's level of confidence and self esteem develops, one may actively invite others to comment
on one’s blind spots. A teacher may seek feedback from students on the quality of a particular
lecture, with the desire of improving the presentation. Active listening skills are helpful in this
endeavor. On the other hand, we all have defenses, protecting the parts of ourselves that we feel
vulnerable. Remember, the blind quadrant contains behaviour, feelings and motivations not
accessible to the person, but which others can see. Feelings of inadequacy, incompetence,
Impotence, unworthiness rejection,guilt,depency,ambivalence for loved ones, needs to control
and manipulate, are all difficult to face, and yet can be seen by others. To forcibly reveal what
another wishes not to see, is ‘psychological rape,” and can be traumaic. Fortunately, nature has
provided us with a variety of defense mechanisms to cope with such events, such as denial,
Ignoring, rationalizing,etc.
The Johari window, essentially being a model for communication, can also reveal difficulties
in this area. In Johari terms, two people attempt to communicate via the open quadrants.
On the simplest level, difficulties may arise due to a lack of clarity in the interaction, such as
poor grammar of choice of word,unorganized thoughts,faulty logic etc. this induces the receiver
to criticize you, the sender, by revealing something that was in your blind quadrant. Then, if the
feedback works, you correct it immediately, or perhaps on a more long term approach take a
course in reading and writing. On a deeper level, you may be in a group meeting, and while you secretly sympathize with the minority viewpoint, you voted with the majority. However, blind to you,
you actually may be communicating this information via body language, in conflict with your
verbal message. On an even deeper level, you in an interaction with others, may always put on
a smiling,happy face, hiding all negative feelings. By withholding negative feelings, you may
be signaling to your friends to withhold also, and keep their distance. Thus, your communication
style may seem bland or distant.