Final answer:
The statement is true; in the Johari Window framework, the hidden area is reduced through the process of disclosure, where an individual shares personal information with others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement, "According to the Johari Window, the hidden area is reduced through disclosure," is true. The Johari Window is a psychological tool created by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955, which is used to help people better understand their relationship with themselves and others. It consists of four quadrants: Open, Hidden, Blind, and Unknown.
The hidden area relates to information that is known to oneself but not to others. When an individual shares personal information or feelings with others, which is a process referred to as disclosure, they effectively move information from the Hidden quadrant to the Open quadrant, thus reducing the size of the Hidden area within the Johari Window framework.
Relevant literature, such as Cozby's 1973 study on self-disclosure, provides insight into the process and positive effects of sharing personal information. Furthermore, Crisp and Turner's 2009 research highlights the impact of imagined interactions and their ability to foster positive perceptions, which can also pertain to the outcomes of disclosure within social contexts.