THINK INSIDE THE BOX · TOOL 03 · A2/B1 · 50 min

Joe, Harry and the Window

Two psychologists drew a window with four parts: what you know about yourself, and what other people can see.

All the tools

Harder version: read this lesson at B2 level →

Today: you'll learn about a famous “window”, use it to sort real examples, and practise look and seem for how people appear.
Before we start — talk these through:
  • How would your best friend describe you in three words?
  • Do you tell people a lot about yourself, or only a little?
  • Who tells you the truth about yourself?

The vocabulary of this story

Ten items. Say your answer out loud before you reveal it.

A · What does the word mean? Guess from the sentence

Read the sentence. Say what the word in bold means. Then check.

I didn't notice that my friend was sad until she started crying.
notice — to see or understand something for the first time.
It is hard to admit that you are afraid.
admit — to say that something (often difficult) is true.
My manager gave me good feedback about my work.
feedback — what other people say about your work, to help you.
He is very honest. He always tells you what he really thinks.
honest — a person who tells the truth.

B · Which word is it?

The words are: secret · trust · shy. Read the meaning and say the word.

(adjective) Quiet with new people; not comfortable talking in a group.
shy — “He was shy at school.”
(verb) To believe that someone is good and will not hurt you.
trust — “I trust my sister completely.”
(noun) Something you don't tell other people.
secret — “Can you keep a secret?”

C · One word for all three

One word fits all three phrases. Say the word.

___ about yourself  ·  I didn't ___ that  ·  nobody ___s the answer
know — to have information in your head.

Now use them — out loud

Before we read:
  • Are you shy with new people, or not?
  • Do you like feedback about your work?
  • Who do you trust most?

The story, in three parts

Read each part. After it, answer the quick check from memory, then discuss one question.

Part 1 — Two psychologists

In 1955, two American psychologists worked at a university in California. Their names were Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham. Everyone called them Joe and Harry.

At that time, many psychologists were interested in groups. What happens when people work together? Why do some groups work well? Joe and Harry taught in a summer course for people who wanted to learn about teams.

They had a problem. It was difficult to explain one idea: when people tell each other the truth, something important happens. They needed a simple picture.

Quick check — from memory, then reveal:

1. When and where did Joe and Harry work?

2. What were psychologists interested in?

3. What did Joe and Harry need?

1. In 1955, at a university in California.

2. Groups — how people work together.

3. A simple picture to explain their idea.

Discuss:
  • Is a picture better than words for explaining an idea? Why?

Part 2 — Four parts

They drew a window with four parts. The window asks two questions. Do I know this about me? Do other people know it?

Part one is open: you know it, and everybody knows it. Your job, your family, your favourite team.

Part two is hidden: you know it, but you don't tell people. Maybe you are afraid of something.

Part three is the blind spot: other people see it, but you don't. Maybe you speak too fast, or you look angry when you are only thinking.

Part four is unknown: nobody knows it yet. Maybe you are a great cook, but you have never cooked.

They needed a name for the picture. So they used their own names: Joe + Harry = Johari.

Quick check — from memory, then reveal:

1. What two questions does the window ask?

2. What is a “blind spot”?

3. Where does the name Johari come from?

1. Do I know it about myself? Do other people know it?

2. Something other people can see about you, but you can't.

3. From their names: Joe and Harry.

Discuss:
  • Which part of your window is the biggest?

Part 3 — Opening the window

The idea is simple: the open part can grow. When you tell people something about yourself, the hidden part gets smaller. When you ask for feedback and really listen, the blind spot gets smaller.

Today, teachers, nurses and managers all over the world use this window. In one popular game, you choose six words for yourself, and your friends choose six words for you. The same words go in the open part. Different words go in the blind spot. It can be a surprise.

But be careful. Some things are private, and that is fine. And feedback can hurt. The window works best with people you trust.

Quick check — from memory, then reveal:

1. How can you make the open part bigger?

2. In the game, what goes in the blind spot?

3. Why do you need people you trust?

1. Tell people about yourself, and ask for feedback.

2. Words your friends chose but you didn't choose.

3. Because feedback can hurt, and some things are private.

Discuss:
  • Would you play the word game with your friends? Why, or why not?

How the tool works

Two questions, four parts. Do I know it? Do other people know it? The aim is a bigger open part.

OPENeverybody knowsBLIND SPOTthey see it, I don'tHIDDENI know, I don't tellUNKNOWNnobody knows yetDo I know it?Do others know it?yesnoyesno

Using it, step by step

  1. Choose people you trust: a class, a team, a few friends.
  2. Each person chooses six words about themselves. Then the others choose six words for that person.
  3. Same words = open. Only from the others = blind spot. Only from you = hidden.
  4. Talk about the surprises. Then say one new thing about yourself.

Try it yourself

Which part of the window is it? Choose, then check.

1. Your friends all know you speak very fast. You don't know it.
2. You are sad about your new city, but you don't tell anybody.
3. You can play the piano very well, but you have never tried.
4. Everybody knows you have two children.
5. People say you look angry when you read. You never knew.
6. You are afraid of speaking in meetings. Nobody can see it.

1. Blind spot — they see it; you don't.

2. Hidden — you know it; they don't.

3. Unknown — nobody knows it yet — not even you.

4. Open — you know it and other people know it.

5. Blind spot — other people saw it first.

6. Hidden — you know it and you keep it private.

Where the tool breaks

It is not a test. It is a picture to help people talk.

Private is OK. In many countries and families, you don't tell everybody everything.

Feedback can be wrong. One person's opinion is only one opinion.

Talk it through:
  • Is it good to know your blind spot? Why?
  • How can you give feedback kindly?

Its cousins

The 9-Box GridAnother grid about people — but the boss fills this one in. Open the lesson →
Maslow's Hierarchy of NeedsWhat people need — friends, respect, safety. Open the lesson →
The “Known Unknowns” GridThe same two questions, about information.
The Ladder of InferenceHow we decide very fast what kind of person someone is.

Grammar — look and seem

This window is about how people look to other people. Here is how to say it in English.

look + adjective — what you see.
“You look tired.”  “The soup looks good.”
look like + noun — it is similar to something.
“He looks like his father.”  (NOT He looks like tired.)
seem + adjective — your impression, from everything you see and hear.
“She seems happy in her new job.”
sound + adjective — your impression from a voice or an idea.
“Your plan sounds great.”
Careful: we don't use very here in the same way. Say “You look really tired”.

1. look, look like, seem or sound?

Write one word in each gap.

1. You tired today. Did you sleep?

2. My brother like our mother.

3. Your new job interesting. Tell me about it.

4. On the phone he angry, but he wasn't.

5. That cake delicious!

1. look

2. looks

3. seems

4. sounded

5. looks

2. About people you know

Finish the sentences. Say them out loud first.

1. My best friend seems

2. When I am tired, people say I look

3. My teacher looks like

4. This lesson sounds

Example answers: 1. …very calm. 2. …angry. 3. …my uncle. 4. …interesting.

Now describe two people in your family with look and seem.

Speak

Now talk about you. Choose a task and speak. You can start the timer.

Useful language: “People think I am …, but really I am …” · “I seem … , but …” · “My blind spot is probably …”
Time remaining: 4:00
Task 1 — Your window

Say one thing for the open part and one for the hidden part. What could be in your blind spot?

Task 2 — First meeting

When people meet you for the first time, what do they think? Are they right?

Task 3 — Feedback

Tell us about good feedback or bad feedback you got. How did you feel?

To finish — the harder questions

  1. Is it always good to know your blind spot?
  2. Should you tell people at work about your private life? How much?
  3. On the internet, people show only their open part. Is that a problem?
  4. From memory: make three sentences with look, look like and seem.