The Art of Self-disclosure – the 

– first step to
personality development - Johari Window
Not Known to
  Known to Self
Self

Known to Others

Not Known to
Others

 
The Johari Window, named after the first names of its inventors, Joseph Luft and Harry
Ingham, is one of the most useful models describing the process of human interaction. A four
paned "window," as illustrated above, divides personal awareness into four different types, as
represented by its four quadrants: open, hidden, blind, and unknown. The lines dividing the four
panes are like window shades, which can move as an interaction progresses.
 
In this model, each person is represented by their own window.

1. The "open" quadrant : This 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, . The knowledge that the
window represents, can include not only factual information, but my feelings, motives,
behaviors, wants, needs and desires and indeed, any information describing who I am. When I
first meet a new 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 shades move down or to the right, placing more information into the open
window, as described below.
 
2. The "blind" quadrant : This quadrant represents things that you know about me, but 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 that I have something on my face, then the window shade moves
to the right, enlarging the open quadrant's area. Now, I may also have blind spots 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: This quadrant represents things that I know about myself, that you
do not know. So for example, I have not told you, nor mentioned anywhere  who one of my
favorite hero or heroin is. This information is in my "hidden" quadrant. As soon as I tell you who
is my favourite hero or heroin is, I am effectively pulling the window shade down, moving the
information in my hidden quadrant and enlarging the open quadrant's area. Again, there are vast
amounts of information, virtually my whole life's story, that has yet to be 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 : This quadrant represents things that neither I know about
myself, nor you know about me. For example, I may disclose a dream that I had, and as we both
attempt to understand its significance, a new awareness may emerge, known to neither of us
before the conversation took place. Being placed in new situations often reveal new information
not previously known to self or others.  If you take my example, I was quite shy in speaking in
public. I use literally sweat if am to deliver any lecture in the public. I thought then I can speak in
public. In 1989 i had to organise one National Level Seminar for the Department of Science &
Technology, Govt. of India at Balasore.  During this workshop, my boss Thiagarajan, created a
safe atmosphere of care and trust between the various participants. Usually, I am terrified of
speaking in public, but I was surprised to learn that in such an atmosphere, the task need not be
so daunting. Fluently I could speak in the seminar and I was taken up then a fluent public
speaker. I had viewed myself and others had also viewed me as being extremely shy. It is said
that the number one fear that people have is speaking in public. Their number two fear is dying.
And the number three fear that people have, is dying while speaking in public. Thus, a novel
situation can trigger new awareness and personal growth. The process of moving previously
unknown information into the open quadrant, thus enlarging its area, has been likened to
Maslow's concept of need and self-actualization. The process can also be viewed as a game,
where the open quadrant is synonymous with the win-win situation.
 
Much, much more has been written on the Johari window model of human interaction. The
process of enlarging the open quadrant is called self-disclosure, a give and take process
between me and the people I interact with. Typically, as I share something about myself (moving
information from my hidden quadrant into the open) and if the other party is interested in getting
to know me, they will reciprocate, by similarly disclosing information in their hidden quadrant.
Thus, an interaction between two parties can be modeled dynamically as two active Johari
windows.

We believe disclosure to be healthy, at least that's the impression one gets after reading Freud.
However, Anita Kelly recently wrote that self-disclosure of personal secrets has its dangers. We
are often better off not telling secrets regarding our sexual behavior, mental health problems or
large-scale failures. "If you give people information about yourself, you give them power over
you," she says. Monica Lewinsky's disclosure to Linda Tripp and the ensuing scandal that
enveloped President Clinton is a case in point. Be forewarned that most secrets get passed along
to at least two more parties. People also misjudge how others respond to secrets. Sometimes you
get negative feedback. For example, a women who reveals that she was raped may be seen in the
future as a victim, or by men as damaged goods. Now, if you must tell your secret to someone,
chose that person very carefully. Chose someone whose response will give you some insight into
your problem. Unfortunately, such a person is often hard to find. So if you cannot find anyone
appropriate, consider this: that keeping secrets is healthy and tasteful, because it is a way of
managing your identity, and indicates you are secure and have self-control. But it takes energy,
because you have to be on constant guard not to accidentally reveal something that is potentially
damaging.

As ones level of confidence and self esteem develops, one may actively invite others to comment
on one's blind spots. A teacher may seek feedback from students on the quality of a particular
lecture, with the desire of improving the presentation. Active listening skills are helpful in this
endeavor. On the other hand, we all have defenses, protecting the parts of ourselves that we feel
vulnerable. Remember, the blind quadrant contains behavior, feelings and motivations not
accessible to the person, but which others can see. Feelings of inadequacy, incompetence,
impotence, unworthiness, rejection, guilt, dependency, ambivalence for loved ones, needs to
control and manipulate, are all difficult to face, and yet can be seen by others. To forcibly reveal
what another wishes not to see, is "psychological rape," and can be traumatic. Fortunately, nature
has provided us with a variety of defense mechanisms to cope with such events, such as denial,
ignoring, rationalizing, etc.

The Johari window, essentially being a model for communication, can also reveal difficulties in
this area. In Johari terms, two people attempt to communicate via the open quadrants. On the
simplest level, difficulties may arise due to a lack of clarity in the interaction, such as poor
grammar or choice of words, unorganized thoughts, faulty logic etc. This induces the receiver to
criticize you, the sender, by revealing something that was in your blind quadrant. Then, if the
feedback works, you correct it immediately, or perhaps on a more long term approach take a
course in reading and writing. On a deeper level, you may be in a group meeting, and while you
secretly sympathize with the minority viewpoint, you voted with the majority. However, blind to
you, you actually may be communicating this information via body language, in conflict with
your verbal message. On an even deeper level, you in an interaction with others, may always put
on a smiling, happy face, hiding all negative feelings. By withholding negative feelings, you may
be signaling to your friends to withhold also, and keep their distance. Thus, your communication
style may seem bland or distant.

References:

Luft, Joseph (1969). "Of Human Interaction," Palo Alto, CA: National Press, 177 pages.
 
Kelly, Anita E. and McKillop, Kevin J. (1996), "Consequences of Revealing Personal Secrets ."
Psychological Bulletin, v120(3), pg. 450 .