Lesson 2: Psychosocial Causes of Abnormal Behaviour

Self-perception

How we view the world, what we expect, believe, know, assume, and value are each a part of our self-perception. These same features can make us vulnerable to disordered behaviour. What other people believe and value, for example, may be different from our beliefs and values. What we show others regarding ourselves may not be what others receive or perceive. Two men, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham, developed a model to help people understand how their self-perception is presented to themselves and others. They termed this model the Johari Window. The model consists of a four-paned “window” as illustrated in Figure 1.1. The window divides personal awareness into four different areas as represented by its four quadrants: open, hidden, blind, and unknown. The lines dividing the four panes are like window shades. These shades can move as interaction between people progresses, thus effectively changing the size of each window.

Figure 1.1:  Johari Window