A Johari window is a cognitive psychological tool created by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955 in the United States, used to help people better understand their interpersonal communication and relationships. It is used primarily in self-help groups and corporate settings as a heuristic exercise.

When performing the exercise, the subject is given a list of 55 adjectives and picks five or six that they feel describe their own personality. Peers of the subject are then given the same list, and each pick five or six adjectives that describe the subject. These adjectives are then mapped onto a grid.

Quadrants

Adjectives are selected by both the participant and his or her peers and are placed into the Arena quadrant. This quadrant represents traits of the participant of which both they and their peers are aware.

Adjectives selected only by the participant, but not by any of their peers, are placed into the Façade quadrant, representing information about the participant of which their peers are unaware. It is then up to the participant whether or not to disclose this information.

Adjectives that are not selected by the participant but only by their peers are placed into the Blind Spot quadrant. These represent information of which the participant is not aware, but others are, and they can decide whether and how to inform the individual about these "blind spots".

Adjectives which were not selected by either the participant or their peers remain in the Unknown quadrant, representing the participant's behaviors or motives which were not recognized by anyone participating. This may be because they do not apply, or because there is collective ignorance of the existence of said trait.

Johari adjectives A Johari Window consists of 55 adjectives used to describe the participant, in alphabetical order:

able accepting adaptable bold brave calm caring cheerful clever complex confident	dependable dignified energetic extroverted friendly giving happy helpful idealistic independent ingenious	intelligent introverted kind knowledgeable logical loving mature modest nervous observant organized	patient powerful proud quiet reflective relaxed religious responsive searching self-assertive self-conscious	sensible sentimental shy silly spontaneous sympathetic tense trustworthy warm wise witty

Nohari variant

A Nohari window is the inversion of the Johari window, and is a collection of negative personality traits instead of positive.

incompetent violent insecure hostile needy ignorant blasé embarrassed insensitive dispassionate inattentive	intolerant aloof irresponsible selfish unimaginative irrational imperceptive loud self-satisfied over dramatic unreliable	inflexible glum vulgar unhappy inane distant chaotic vacuous passive dull	timid stupid lethargic unhelpful brash childish impatient panicky smug predictable foolish	cowardly simple withdrawn cynical boastful weak unethical rash callous humorless

Motivational equivalent

The concept of meta-emotions categorized by basic emotions offers the possibility of a meta-emotional window as a motivational counterpart to the meta-cognitive Johari window.

Appropriation of name

In September of 2008, New York indie band Carlon released an LP titled Johari Window on Rope-a-Dope Records.

External links

• Open Windows, Online tools for teamanalysis and group development, based on Johari Window. (In Swedish.)
• The Johari Game, "Know Me" a business-focused board game
• Noogenesis article on the Johari Window Examples of window-altering actions; game theory aspects.
• Online Johari Window tool, by Kevan Davis
• Online Nohari Window tool, also by Kevan Davis
• http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/ca/workshop/comm/slides.pdf
• http://www.orkut.com
• http://www.carlonmusic.com, official Carlon website

References

• The original written publication appears to be: Luft, J. and Ingham, H. (1955) "The Johari window, a graphic model of interpersonal awareness", Proceedings of the western training laboratory in group development. Los Angeles: UCLA
• Einfuhrung in die Gruppendynamik, Joseph Luft, Klett 1972
• The Johari Window and the Dark Side of Organisations, Steward Hase, Alan Davies, Bob Dick, Southern Cross University 1999