The Johari Window: A Perception Model Of Human Behavior

As discussed in the earlier, human behaviour has individual differences. These differences are due to the fact that both heredity and environment plays a crucial role in defining the behaviour pattern of each individual. Some of the characteristics are inherited or becomes a part of the human nature naturally. These may or may not be subjected to change by external environment. These include physical characteristics, age, intelligence, religious beliefs. There are other features of the human characteristics that are acquired by the person through external factors like perception, personality, attitude and values. These are called environmental factors and have different influence on different people. Human nature is made up of a unique combination

The term Johari Window has been coined from the names of American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham, who were instrumental in developing this model of intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding. This tool is particularly very popular in the field of personality development as it encompasses a wide range of concepts like interpersonal relationships, empathy, cooperation and intergroup development.

The Johari Window model is sometimes referred to as a disclosure-feedback model of self-awareness while at times it is also called as an information processing tool. Johari Window is a tool that involves oneself and others. Self indicates the subject under study and others are people of other groups. This model primarily opens a window of information about the experience, attitude, feelings, motivation and depression of a person in relation with other people in four main perspectives.

The four perspectives of Johari Window are called areas or regions or quadrants. Each quadrant represents information and the awareness of this information regarding the

It represents what is known about the subject by others and the subject is oblivious to this information. The blind spot is not productive for individuals or groups. It represents the ignorance about the individuals or issues in which one is involved. It also includes those issues that others are purposely withholding from a person. By seeking feedback about oneself from others and responding positively to it, one reduces this area, thereby increasing one’s open area.

The Facade: The third quadrant is called hidden self or hidden area or facade. This area represents feelings or information known to an individual, but is kept hidden and, therefore, not known to others. The hidden feelings or information can be about anything which an individual does not want to reveal to others. It may include one’s fears, hidden agenda, secrets or anything that one does not want to reveal. Some information pertaining to the third quadrant may not have any impact on the work of the team or group and so can remain hidden. However, a lot of hidden information may have a bearing on one’s work performance or the work of the entire team, so it is better to place that information in the open area or the Arena. The aim should be to share information with others as far as possible. Sharing information in the terminology of Johari Window is called self disclosure or exposure process. This is also another way to expand the open