Of Human Interaction: The Johari Model

by Joseph Luft

The author, professor of psychology at San Francisco State College, starts with the assumption that human behavior is best understood in the context of ties between persons. He uses as elegant model of awareness - the Johari Window - to describe communication processes and to recognize the enigmatic nature of human interaction, the inevitability of certain unawareness, and the nature of change. Among the many topics he discusses are nonverbal interaction, influence and interaction values, entrapment and misery, the power and risk of disclosure, and the experience of feeling understood.

179 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Scott Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was intended only to be a reference for me, something I intended to keep on a shelf to look through if I needed a better understanding of the Johari window as I came across it in other readings. However, an initial skim of the book when it arrived found me lingering more and more over ideas and perspectives that I found surprisingly insightful. Reading the book proved to be an unexpectedly enlightening experience. While the Johari window's content and purpose is an interesting pull on its own, I found Luft's insight into the purpose and function of interpersonal relationships thought-provoking and instructional as well.