Peer Review

The Johari Window

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Mar 8, 2005 by Business

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: The subject matter is the description and diagram of the JoHari Window,
developed by Luft and Ingham in the 1950s. The site provides a solid, basic
description of the Johari Window, providing detailed description of each
quadrant and how the model can be applied. The diagram visually displays four
quadrants of levels of self-knowledge and is widely used in business management,
self development, and training venues. The module allows the user to download
the diagram and refers the user to other, related models of theories such as
Blanchards behavioral model or Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. The site also
describes briefly some connections to other management models.
Type of Material:: Reference material
Recommended Uses:: Could be used effectively in an undergraduate or graduate Introductory
Organizational Behavior course, Organizational Communication course,
Organizational Development course, or Introductory Management course, or in
executive training. Could function as an auxiliary reading or a stand-alone
introduction to the model.
For example, in an undergraduate class, this material provides a general
introduction to the use of the JoHari Window as an assessment of self knowledge
and understanding. For a corporate trainer, this material would lay the
groundwork for some training exercises in self-understanding and development.
Technical Requirements:: Use of web browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: This module provides a basic understanding of the Johari Window model and how it
applies to group communication effectiveness. The major learning goals of this
module include:
1. what is known by the person about him/herself and is also known by others -
open area, open self, free area, free self, or 'the arena'
2. what is unknown by the person about him/herself but which others know - blind
area, blind self, or 'blindspot'
3. what the person knows about him/herself that others do not know - hidden
area, hidden self, avoided area, avoided self or 'facade'
4. what is unknown by the person about him/herself and is also unknown by others
- unknown area or unknown self
The module provides a reasonably good overall description of the JoHari Windows
use for individual assessment as well as team assessment.
Target Student Population:: Could be used with undergraduates, graduates, or executives needing a concise
summary of the Johari Window.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Basic understanding of groups or teams to set context for possibilities for
enhancement of intragroup processes.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The site provides a good introduction to the model and is concise and easy to
read. Material is clearly presented with good graphics of the model in support.
Concerns:: The site provides only an introductory level coverage without significant
research support provided, though this is not inappropriate for use as an
introduction to the model. There is no explanation as to how to situate oneself
in the mr columns.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: Ease of use, clarity and conciseness make this an attractive tool for most
student audiences at an introductory level. Easily adapted for a classroom
exercise or for an online class.
Concerns:: As a beginning step, this is well done. It needs to connect in some way to next
steps or levels of explanation and how one is able to determine where they would
fall in the quadrants.

The site does not provide any specific application assignments or other
interactive elements to support the learning.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: Very easy to use as it is simply a text based page with some links to related
concepts. Very clean page, quick loading. The module is simple and uses color
to highlight concepts and files that can be downloaded.
Concerns:: The page is not particularly visually stimulating (hence its clean look).
Columns are too wide for easy reading. The copy could be broken up more with
visuals

Other Issues and Comments:: This appears to be a useful link for those building a collection of resources to
supplement (or possibly replace) use of a traditional text book, or for an
on-line course. It is a classic model for increasing self-awareness.
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