The Johari Window Model

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 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.
 The Johari Window Model :
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.
 The Johari Window Model :
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.
 The Johari Window Model :
Hidden area or facade
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.
 The Johari Window Model :
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
 Example
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.

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.
 JOHARI WINDOW QUESTIONNAIRE

• Instructions: Read each numbered item carefully. Read the

statements marked “A” and “B.” Determine which statement is
most similar to what you would do. Assign a point value to the A
and B statements using the following scale. The total point value
for A and B is five (5).
• If statement A is most similar to what you would do: A = 5 B = 0
• If statement A is not satisfactory, but better than B: A = 4 or 3
B = 1 or 2
• If statement B is most similar to what you would do: A = 0 B = 5
• If statement B is not satisfactory, but better than A: A = 1 or 2
B = 4 or 3
 JOHARI WINDOW QUESTIONNAIRE
1. If a friend of mine had a “personality conflict” with a mutual acquaintance of ours and I
thought it was important for them to get along, I would:
A. Tell my friend that I felt s/he was partially responsible for any problems with this other person
and try to let him/her know how the person was being affected by him/her.
B. Not get involved because I wouldn’t be able to continue to get along with both of them once I
had entered into their conflict in any way.

2. If one of my friends and I had a heated argument in the past and I realized that s/he was ill at
ease around me from that time on, I would:
A. Just let the whole thing drop to avoid making things worse by discussing it.
B. Bring up his/her behavior and ask how s/he felt the argument had affected our relationship.

3. If a friend began to avoid me and act in an aloof and withdrawn manner, I would:
A.Tell him/her about his/her behavior and suggest that s/he tell me what was on his/her mind.
B.Follow his/her lead & keep our contact brief & aloof since that seems to be what s/he wants.
 JOHARI WINDOW QUESTIONNAIRE
4. If two of my friends and I were talking and one of them slipped and brought up a personal
problem of mine that involved the other friend, of which s/he was not yet aware, I would:
A. Change the subject and signal my friend to do the same.
B. Briefly explain what the other friend was talking about and suggest that we go into it later.

5. If a friend of mine were to tell me that, in his/her opinion, I was doing things that made me
less effective than I might be in social situations, I would:
A. Ask him/her to describe what s/he has observed and suggest changes I might make.
B. Resent his/her criticism and let him/her know why I behave the way I do.

6. If one of my friends aspired to an office in our organization for which I felt s/he was
unqualified, and if s/he had been tentatively assigned to that position by the leader of our
group, I would:
A. Not mention any misgivings to either my friend or the leader of our group and let them
handle it in their own way.
B. Tell my friend and the group leader of my misgivings and leave the final decision to them.
 JOHARI WINDOW QUESTIONNAIRE
7. If I felt that one of my friends was being unfair to me and his/her other friends, but none of
the other friends had mentioned anything about it, I would:
A. Ask the other friends how they perceive the situation to see if they felt s/he was being unfair.
B. Not ask the others how they perceive our friend, but wait for them to bring it up with me.

8. If I were preoccupied with some personal matters and a friend told me that I had become
irritated with him/her and others and that I was jumping on him/her for unimportant things, I
would:
A. Tell him/her I was preoccupied and would probably be on edge for a while.
B. Listen to his/her complaints but not explain myself to him/her.

9. If I had heard some friends discussing an ugly rumor about a friend of mine which I knew
could hurt him/her and s/he asked me what I knew about it, if anything, I would:
A. Say I didn’t know anything and tell him/her our friends wouldn’t believe ugly rumors anyway.
B. Tell him/her exactly what I had heard, when I had heard it, and from whom I had heard it.
 JOHARI WINDOW QUESTIONNAIRE
10. If a friend said that I had a personality conflict with another friend who was important to
me, I would:
A. Consider his/her comments out of line and tell him/her I didn’t want to discuss the matter.
B. Talk about it openly with him/her to find out how my behavior was being affected by this.

11. If my relationship with a friend has been damaged by repeated arguments on an issue of
importance to us both, I would:
A. Be cautious in my conversations with him/her so the issue would not come up again to
worsen our relationship.
B. Explain the problems the controversy is causing for our relationship and suggest that we
discuss it until we get it resolved.

12. If in a conversation with a friend about his/her personal problems and behavior s/he
suddenly suggested we discuss my problems and behavior as well as his/her own, I would:
A. Be evasive and try to keep the discussion away from me.
B. Welcome the opportunity to hear what s/he felt about me and encourage his/her
comments.
 JOHARI WINDOW QUESTIONNAIRE
13. If a friend of mine began to tell me about his/her hostile feelings about another friend
whom s/he felt was being unkind to others (and I agreed wholeheartedly), I would:
A. Listen and also express my own feelings to her/him so s/he would know where I stood.
B. Listen, but not express my own negative views and opinion because s/he might repeat
what I said in confidence.

14. If an ugly rumor was being told about me and I suspected that one of my friends had
heard it, I would:
A. Avoid mentioning the issue and leave it to him/her to tell me about it if s/he wanted
to.
B. Risk putting him/her on the spot by asking directly what s/he knew about the rumor.

15. If had observed a friend in social situations and thought that s/he was doing a number
of things which hurt his/her relationships, I would:
A. Risk being seen as a busy-body and tell him/her what I had observed and my reactions
to it.
B. Keep my opinion to myself rather than be seen as interfering in what is none of my
business.
 JOHARI WINDOW QUESTIONNAIRE
16. If two friends and I were talking and one of them inadvertently mentioned a
personal problem which involved me, but of which I knew nothing, I would:
A. Press them for information about the problem and their opinions on it.
B. Leave it up to my friends to tell me or not, letting them change the subject if they
wished.

17. If a friend seemed to be preoccupied and began to jump on me for seemingly

unimportant things, as well as others without real cause, I would:
A. Treat him/her with kid gloves for a while on the assumption that s/he was having
some temporary personal problems which were none of my business.
B. Try to talk to him/her about it and explain how his/her behavior was affecting others.

18. If I had begun to dislike certain habits of a friend to the point that it was interfering
with my enjoyment of their company, I would:
A. Say nothing to him/her directly, but let him/her know my feelings by ignoring
him/her whenever the annoying habits were obvious.
B. Get my feelings out in the open and clear the air so that we could continue our
friendship comfortably and enjoyably.
 JOHARI WINDOW QUESTIONNAIRE

19. In discussing social behavior with one of my more sensitive friends, I

would:
A. Avoid mentioning his/her flaws and weaknesses so as not to hurt
his/her feelings.
B. Focus on his/her flaws and weaknesses so s/he could improve his/her
interpersonal skills.

20. If I knew my friends’ attitudes toward me had become rather

negative lately and I knew I might be assigned an important position in
our group, I would:
A. Discuss my shortcomings with my friends so I could see where to
improve.
B. Try to figure out my own shortcomings by myself so I could improve.
 Johari Window Scoring
Below are two columns where you are to record the points you assigned for each response
to the Johari Window Questionnaire. Total the points at the bottom of each column.

Solicits Feedback Willingness to Disclose/Give Feedback

2B 1A
3A 4B
5A 6B
7A 9B
8B 11B
10B 13A
12B 15A
14B 17B
16A 18B
20A 19B
Total Total
 Johari Window
Plot the totals from each column on the graph below. The total from the “Solicits Feedback”
column is recorded along the horizontal axis. The total from the “Willingness to Disclose”
column is recorded along the vertical axis. (NOTE: 0 is at the top of the vertical axis and 50 at
the bottom of the vertical axis!) Divide the graph into four sections by drawing straight lines
from the scores.