This is a wonderful example and conceptual model for studying interpersonal awareness. It was developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham (the name Johari combines their first names). It is a schematic model that shows how people expose themselves to others and receive feedback from others in their interpersonal relationships. As illustrated in the figure The Johari Window has four parts: Arena, Blindspot, Closed and Dark. Arena represents the “Public self’ that is known to the self and others. The Blindspot area is known to others, but not to the self. The Closed area is the “private self’ which is known to the self but not to others.

The Dark area is neither known to the self nor to others. The implication of this model is that if Arena is very small, there is very little free and spontaneous interaction. On the other hand, the larger the Arena, the greater the chance for participants in any relationship to make correct perceptual judgments about each other. This accurate perceptual judgment helps them to develop realistic mutual expectations. Meeting these expectations increases their level of trust and influence, and it helps them maintain a mutually satisfying relationship. As Arena expands, the closed area or private self shrinks and it becomes less necessary to hide or deny things one knows or feels. The Blindspot takes longer to reduce because self-concept protection mechanisms are involved.

Arena can be expanded by means of self-disclosure and feedback. These two variables are shown as two large arrows in the figure and range from less to more. Self-disclosure means revealing oneself to another person and sharing one’s own feelings, emotions, facts and knowledge with that individual. Self disclosure is an act of showing respect for and sharing intimacy with another person. Such an act requires trust in another person and is likely to encourage the other person to follow suit. But self-disclosure involves both rewards and costs. Being open (more self-disclosure) offers the possibility of self-understanding, growth and better interpersonal adjustments. On the other hand, when we disclose ourselves to another, we are taking the risk of being rejected, misinterpreted or short changed. However unless someone takes the risk and initiates self-disclosure, the relationship will not develop.

Feedback reduces the Blindspot area and helps us increase our self-awareness, since we often do not know how others view us. We can guess how they see us by their reactions. But these reactions are often not clear and likely to be misperceived. Unless we receive feedback as to how they see us, or what kind of effects our behaviors have on them. we are likely to be blind to their feelings and reactions.

The feedback given by others can hope to reduce Blindspot. The Interpersonal awareness can be increased in several ways. When you feel that something is wrong with a relationship but the problem area cannot be identified you may take one of the following actions: 1. Ask the other party how the relationship is working out for him or her (i.e. solicit feedback). Take the initiative in expressing your concerns and feelings and listen to the feedback with empathy and without any attempt to defend. The feedback obtained may not be satisfactory but at least opens the door for improvement. 2. Ask yourself whether you are fulfilling the psychological contract. Take stock of your perceptions of mutual expectation and see if each of you is meeting these expectations. Keeping in mind the characteristics of effective feedback, communicate your concerns to your partner.

Source Book: Interpersonal Style and the Communication Dilemma, Hall 1974