Complete List of 56 Johari Window Adjectives with Explanations

History and Background of the 56 Adjectives

The 56 adjectives used in the Johari Window were carefully selected by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham when they introduced the model in 1955. These words were not chosen at random — they were filtered from a large pool of personality descriptors to cover the major dimensions of positive human traits while keeping the total number manageable for practical use.

All 56 adjectives are positive or neutral in nature, and this was a deliberate design decision. Luft and Ingham believed that using positive words creates a safe, non-threatening environment where participants are more willing to be honest in their self-assessments and peer evaluations. The positive framing also encourages constructive feedback exchange rather than turning the exercise into a session of mutual criticism.

To learn more about the theoretical foundations and mechanics of the Johari Window, see the Complete Johari Window Guide.

Complete Adjective Table

Below is the complete list of all 56 adjectives used in the Johari Window exercise, including the English original, Chinese translation, and a brief explanation. The adjectives are sorted alphabetically and span multiple dimensions including social skills, emotional traits, intellectual qualities, and character strengths.

How to Choose Your Adjectives

When taking the Johari Window test, you typically select 5 to 6 adjectives that best describe yourself (or the person being assessed). The key is to pick the "most prominent" traits rather than "everything that applies" — nearly everyone can identify with most positive traits to some degree, but the value of the test lies in identifying the few that are most central and defining.

During self-assessment, try to avoid "idealized choices" (picking who you want to be) and "socially desirable choices" (picking what you think others want you to be). The most valuable selections come from honest self-observation — think about which traits you most naturally and consistently display in everyday life.

When choosing adjectives for someone else, focus on behaviors and traits you have actually observed rather than assumptions or expectations. Recall specific moments from your interactions and think about which traits stood out most clearly in those situations. Sincere feedback is far more valuable than "nice" feedback.

Nohari Window — the Negative Trait Variant

The Nohari Window is the complementary counterpart to the Johari Window. Instead of positive adjectives, it uses a set of negative personality descriptors such as incompetent, antisocial, careless, and so on. The mechanics are exactly the same — self-selection plus peer selection, followed by a comparison that produces the same four quadrants.

The value of the Nohari Window lies in revealing the aspects of ourselves we would rather not face. Sometimes, understanding the weaknesses that others see in us is even more illuminating than understanding our strengths. However, because negative words can provoke stronger emotional reactions, the Nohari Window should only be used within high-trust groups where all participants understand its constructive purpose.

Whether you use the positive Johari Window or the negative Nohari Window, the core goal remains the same: shrink the Blind Spot and expand the Arena. To understand the detailed mechanics of the four quadrants, see the Four Quadrants Explained guide.

Using Adjectives Effectively in Self-Assessment

The adjectives are just tools — the real value lies in the self-reflection they trigger. When you see a word land in your Blind Spot, resist the urge to deny or justify it. Instead, approach it with curiosity: why did others notice this trait while I did not? In what specific situations does this trait show up?

After completing the test, we recommend discussing the results with a trusted friend. For Blind Spot adjectives in particular, ask them to describe the specific situations where they observed those traits — this is far more helpful than staring at a single word. Likewise, the adjectives in your Hidden Self are worth reflecting on — why do you feel you possess these traits, yet others do not perceive them?

The Johari Window test is not a one-time activity but a starting point for ongoing self-growth. We recommend retaking the test every six months to a year, tracking how the four quadrants shift over time and monitoring your journey of self-awareness. To start your Johari Window test, visit the Complete Johari Window Guide for more information.