Communication Psychology

Johari Window - Communication Model

Another communication model has captured my attention. The Johari Window is a psychlogical tool created by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham (hence the name Johari). The tool was developed in 1955 in the U.S. to help people better understand their interpersonal communication and relationships (Wikipedia, 2007). Here's the interesting bit, to perform the exercise a subject is given a list of 55 adjectives of which they pick 5 or 6 that they feel describes their personality. Then the subjects peers are then given the same list and they too select 5 or 6 adjectives that describes the actual subject. The adjectives are then mapped onto a quadrant.

This information is sourced from (Wikipedia,2007).
Adjectives selected by both the participant and his or her peers 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.

Read more the article on Social Psychology