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The Johari Window Model

in COMMUNICATION MODELS, GROUP COMMUNICATION

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.

 3168   

{ 135 comments… add one }

PETER OMONDI
October 30, 2021, 3:36 pm

Good work,well elucidated

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Gurmeet Kaur
November 8, 2021, 8:05 pm

Really helpful and detailed explanation and reflects the level of research done. It is very simple to
understand and follow. Well done !!

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MacDonald
November 10, 2021, 4:49 pm
Very educative and factual

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RICH DAWKINS
November 10, 2021, 8:10 pm

I learned this 30 – 35yrs ago, I am very happy it is still out there and useful.
I have an occasion to use again…………..

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Derick Joel
November 18, 2021, 6:28 am

Simple to follow and understand . These are the best notes ever . Well done

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FLAVIA CHIDO CHUMBU

November 19, 2021, 2:43 pm

THANKS HELPFUL INFORMATION

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Ronnie
November 26, 2021, 12:08 pm

Well applied in military training

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Paul Martineau
January 6, 2022, 7:54 pm

Re-acquainting with the model…we utilized in the 1980-90’s in the computer industry to orient
new managers and to improve communication in newly combined business units.
summarization above was very helpful.

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Patrick J Bettenburg
February 12, 2022, 6:52 am

I love Johari!!!!

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Raghaw Jee Chaturvedi

February 20, 2022, 3:14 pm
Very useful

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Ian Bevan
February 22, 2022, 9:24 pm

I understand this, but can being more open to others leave you open to damaging feedback?

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Shariq M
March 6, 2022, 11:48 am

A wonderful structured tool for assessing level of self awareness.

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ambrose bonyo
March 14, 2022, 3:21 am

i still use this knowledge in military operations and science

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Karabo Mooketsi
March 16, 2022, 2:52 am

Really dilated… Just read this once and understood . As tomorrow i will be writing this in my
exam.. I hope it will help.

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Anord Frolian
April 8, 2022, 11:20 am

More thanks because these notes to us it’s very important and useful to our daily lives , this helps
on how you can interact with people and well communication with them ,well done!!!

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Dashen
April 9, 2022, 4:09 pm

Simple and insightful…

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Aaron
April 25, 2022, 12:50 am
Well sammarised and so easy to understand, this will be helpful in health sector. Am so happy to
find such kind of information.

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osama
April 28, 2022, 1:41 am

helpful

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Muneeb Hassan
April 29, 2022, 4:43 am

Excellent concept. How can one identify things that are in the blind spot. Typically, people don’t
share areas that one should be improving upon.

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Juli
April 29, 2022, 5:55 pm

Johari is such an interesting

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Samrat Roy
May 2, 2022, 4:14 pm

Well laid out and explained. Clears our thought process and help us in seeing the bigger picture

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Randy Mathis
May 11, 2022, 1:01 am

Very interesting, enlightening and applicable to each of our lives! God bless you, Randy

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Ono
May 11, 2022, 11:37 pm

I’m confused

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Timothy McDuff
May 13, 2022, 8:39 pm
I have always struggled with interpersonal relationships and someone much wiser than me is
teaching me about this, it seems like something that can help me, thank you for the Johari
method

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Lovemore
May 25, 2022, 1:23 am

Well explained and simplified. Thank you.

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WILLIAM T. MWALE
May 26, 2022, 9:38 pm

Well explained and quite insightful.

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Mahesh Bhatkar
June 13, 2022, 7:29 pm

Very informative & valuable information…for our career growth specially when you are in people
management role.
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Emmanuel Rwagasore
June 21, 2022, 7:28 pm

Thank you johar

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Lifewellnest
July 7, 2022, 9:54 am

Very helpful and good for self-awareness

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rosa
July 12, 2022, 7:16 pm

thank you

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samyuktha
August 1, 2022, 7:05 pm
nice. interesting.

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Major Mkandawire
August 10, 2022, 11:22 pm

Quite helpful this, well articulated for a quick read.

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George
August 13, 2022, 4:36 pm

Johari’s principle is so vital in public Relations/Publicity .

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R.Manjusha
August 13, 2022, 6:58 pm

Nice

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Brenda a student
August 16, 2022, 3:34 pm

Thank you for the message. Very interesting God bless you.

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