Self-disclosure, in a nutshell, is the Johari window. Businessballs, (2019) referred to Johari model as “ feedback/disclosure model of self-awareness.” The Window model was created in 1955 by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham; thus, the Johari window name comes from the first names of the creators (Mulder, 2017, para.2). According to Businessballs (2019), the above is a diagram of the Johari window “that has four quadrants” (communication theory, (n.d.), namely: “open window, hidden window, blind window, and unknown window” (Businessballs, (2019). It consists of “four combinations: known by self and known by others (open window), unknown by self and known by others(blind window), known by self and unknown by others(hidden window), and unknown by self and unknown by others (unknown window)” (Businessballs, (2019). Johari window has many adjectives given to describe oneself and others (Businessballs, (2019). Each window above has a “list of adjectives” (changing mind, 2002) that fit my description, plus description from others about myself.
The Open window is known as a free or open area/ arena. According to Mulder (2017), “It is that area that has those characteristics, behaviors, and motivations that are known by self and others.” As it were, this open space is about your conduct that is known, observed, and recognized by others and you.
The Blind window is known as the blind spot. It is known for characters or behaviors or things about an individual that are known to others but unknown to the individual. Mulder noted that the Blind Spot can be tough to manage and can cause others to talk about a person(Mulder, (2020). The author also states Blindspot to be an issue because others can see something that the person does not. For example, if someone has body odor or bad breath, sometimes people might not want to tell the person for reasons best known to them.
The Hidden window, also known as private or facade, has those things about us that others do not know. It contains information about us that we are unwilling to share, i. e., known to self but unknown to others. According to Mulder, P. (2017) In the hidden zone, “individuals can remain quiet about a certain idea and not impart it to other people.” For instance, friends may not know that their friend has a chronic disease (cancer) or that you have a gift of singing.
The Unknown windows are behaviors or characters that neither the “person nor others know about” (Mulder, P. (2020). The author comments that no communication exists about this unknown area because both others and the person is unaware of it, which means it will not become the subject of discussion (Mulder, P. (2020).
It is paramount to improve “self-awareness and personal development among individuals” (communication theory, (n.d.). The Johari window model may be a “convenient method to achieve this task of understanding and improving communication between the members in a group” (Mulder, 2019). The Johari Window model can help people to understand their communication with others better (Mulder, 2019). Sometimes people behave in a manner that is perceived to be disturbing by others and their environment(Mulder,2019). For instance, there is a friend that is easily angered, and she fights anybody without thinking twice about it. For such people, it is good to give them feedback on their behavior (Mulder,2019). Individuals, most of the time, are not aware of their behavior; in such cases, feedback is an excellent way to confront such a person on their behavior (Tina V. (2016). The Johari Window can help with a better understanding of the relationship between a person and others (Tina V. (2016). According to the author, the Johari window model is used to understand and enhance communication between one another. This provides insight into the behavior of oneself and others, which is its purpose(Tina V. (2016). The purpose and concept of the analysis are to improve one’s relationship by expanding its open window. The larger the open area is, the more self-aware one becomes, and more are the chances of one improving (Tina V. (2016). The more open people are, the more trust can rely on them. There are ways a person can move forward once open or free areas are known. The person can either listen to feedback and better itself so that its blind areas are reduced, and its open area expands. Alternatively, one can listen to others, share its hidden things via self-disclosure so that its hidden area decreases, and its open area increases. However, one’s development as a person depends on its ability, qualities, and things that one is ready to change.
The people I chose for this assignment are my pastors, some of the church members, friends, and family. They are selected because we spend quality time together, and they know enough, to tell the truth about what they know and see. Every process has its challenges. The most challenging part of this activity is to get feedback from people, and believing in what the feedback has.
I believe quite a few of them, reasons being that I trust them, and it accentuates the positive. Quite a number of them significantly challenged, mostly those that seem too harsh or to the extreme-for example, one of the feedback says you, snob, sometimes, which I refuse to accept because I am not. How much did you compromise? I compromised on a few of them because I want to become better, most notably in intergroup/interpersonal relationships. One of the feedback is one that says I am too open to a fault, and my pastor’s wife explains that I treat everyone as close as a friend but do not have them as friends.
The people or persons that I challenged the most are friends. For example, I challenged a friend. She said I am jealous and can do anything to survive. I chose what was in the open window because they are my exact personality-Extroverted, energetic, cheerful, generous. The hidden area was because I want people to know more (business ball, 2019)and to help with information to improve myself and my relationships with others. I decided what to put on the blind spot because the sources and their judgment are trusted. Their feedback will help increase open areas by reducing blind areas (business ball, 2019). The more knowledge about what others are thinking, the more the tendency to improve on it, and next time, when this exercise comes up, I will find a larger open area, which is the mission of the Johari window (business ball, 2019).
What were the overall advantages/disadvantages of doing this project? The overall advantages were that I was able to see and know what others know and think about me, and it helped me to have more insight into myself. It also helps to build trust because, for one to disclose self, there must be an element of trust. The disadvantages are that some things are perhaps better not communicated (your sexual behavior, mental health problems, or past failures). Admin, (2019) reports that some may pass on the information they received further than you desire, some people may react negatively, and some may even discriminate against the person. How I will feel has two sides, I will feel relieved that I have disclosed a burden and perhaps gotten advice or solution to them; secondly, I will feel exposed and insecure because one secret is out there, which one may never know who or when they will use it against them.
The kind of reaction I would get from others will vary. Those that have good intentions will accept the way I am, though maybe surprised while those with ill intent may either overreact by criticizing and not being constructive.
Nonverbal Communication, according to Adler and his colleague, is messages expressed by nonlinguistic means (Adler, & Proctor, (2017). The use of nonverbal behavior can not be overstressed, and it forms a big part of successful interpersonal communication. Examples of nonverbal behavior are posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, appropriate touch. During the question and answer time, we exhibited different nonverbal behaviors ranging from making eye contact with each other a few times and smiling and nodding of heads (regulating and at an appropriate time). When the person that interviewed me was talking, we both laughed, bending our head down. We were relaxed, and I lean forward a little towards her-One of my feet on the floor and one crossed. At some point, we demonstrated using arms to do some explanation. Sometimes she frowns(contradicting) the answer to my question. We also shook a hand at the beginning and end of the section while hugging each other.
In conclusion, I interviewed our choir mistress, she is a lawyer and works with MBI Health Services, LLC.in D.C. She volunteered to interview me because of the closeness and relationship with her. She has integrity and trusted judgment. During the process, I learned that one could achieve anything as long as they put effort and persistence. Yes, I did, confirm some of the information learned in Blind Windows, she mentioned two of them, which are being stubborn and hard working. The interview was on the weekend, precisely Sunday evening via video call. The place of the interview is our homes- sitting rooms. The location or modality used did not affect the comfortability to self-disclose, though the interview was via video call. I was at home relaxed and comfortable, and she was at her house relaxed and comfortable too. During the process of the interview, it took time and persistence. Our work schedule did not give us time to interview as when requested, but I was patient and pushing.
Moreover, finally, the result was achieved. Some things happened during the experience that affected how I felt at that moment. The words used to describe me made me emotional (tears rolling down my cheek). People said many things that I never imagined that I possess. Some of the qualities I need to work on are not having a secret, not having friends, being too open to a fault, and being stubborn. Some gladden my heart, such as being honest, compassionate, understanding, dependable, adventurous, loyal to authority — so many of them. I am so pleased to participate in this experiment, it's an eye-opener.
