The Johari Window, named for its inventors, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham, is one of the most useful models for describing the process of human interaction. A four windowlled “window,” (see diagram below), divides personal awareness into four different types, as represented by its four quadrants: free, hidden, blind, and unknown. The lines dividing the four windows can expand, or contract during or as a result of any interaction between two people.
In this model, each person is represented by their own window. Let’s describe mine:
1. The “free” 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.(It’s Graham, by the way) you know something about me. The knowledge that the free window represents, can include not only factual information, but my feelings, motives, behaviors, wants, needs and desires… indeed, any information describing who I am. It can be obvious (just by looking) at me or it might be something I disclose, like my favorite color.
When I first meet a person, the size of the opening of this 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 expands, placing more information into the open window, as described below.
2. The “blind” quadrant represents things that you know about me, 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 I have something on my face, then the free window expands to the right, enlarging the free quadrant’s area.
Now, I also admit to having 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 this site, what one of my favorite ice cream flavors is. This information is in my “hidden” quadrant. As soon as I tell you that I love rum and raisin flavored ice cream, I am effectively moving the information in my hidden quadrant and enlarging the free quadrant’s area.
Again, there are vast amounts of information, virtually my whole life’s story, that has not been 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. Not much either of us can do about that, or is there?
