Across healthcare education, feedback is considered an important aspect for learning and performance development. In this post we are focusing on the Johari Window by Luft & Ingham (1961), which can be used to help people better understand their relationship with themselves and others. The Johari Window can be used to develop understanding between individuals, such as the nurse and nurse educator.
Johari Window is?
A model of interpersonal awareness by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham which shows the four facets of self.
The 4 Facits
- Open or Arena: This quadrant represents what is known by the person about him/herself and is also known by others.
- Hidden or Façade: Represents what the person knows about him/herself that others do not know. Peers are unaware of this information. It is then up to the subject to disclose this information or not.
- Blind Spot: This quadrant represents information that the subject is not aware of, but others are. Others can decide whether and how to inform the individual about these blind spots. Also known as the hidden area, hidden self or avoided area.
- Unknown: Represents the participant’s behaviours or motives that were not recognised by self or others. These traits may not be considered applicable or because there is collective ignorance of the traits.
Johari Window develops?
- Self-awareness
- Personal development
- Improving communications
- Interpersonal relationships
- Group dynamics
- Team development
- Inter group relationships
Feedback Exercise
This exercise is from Rungapadiachy (1999, pg. 237) to reflect on past feedback to serve as a guide for self-awareness and how feedback should be delivered.
- Who was it from?
- How was it given (what was actually said?)
- How did you feel after?
- How did you respond?
Johari Meaning
The term Johari comes from mixing Joseph Luft’s and Harry Ingham’s first names!
References
Luft, J., & Ingham, H. (1961). The Johari Window: a graphic model of awareness in interpersonal relations. Human relations training news, 5(9), 6-7.
Rungapadiachy, D. M. (1999) Interpersonal communication and psychology for health care professionals. Theory and practice. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Wikipedia (2016) Johari Window.