Which statement best describes Social De-Penetration?

• A. It is about increasing self-disclosure in new relationships
• B. It occurs when couples become ever more intimate
• C. It is unrelated to relationship satisfaction
• D. It involves stopping or reducing self-disclosure and is associated with conflict or dissatisfaction

Answer: (D)

Social de-penetration refers to pulling back from sharing personal information, returning to more superficial topics and less intimate disclosure in a relationship. This retreat often signals trouble, because when trust or safety declines, people guard themselves and reveal less. In contrast to the growth of closeness seen when self-disclosure increases, de-penetration is the opposite process and is commonly linked to conflict or dissatisfaction, with partners becoming more guarded as a response to hurt or strain. So the best description is that it involves stopping or reducing self-disclosure and is associated with conflict or dissatisfaction. The other options describe increasing intimacy or claim the behavior isn’t related to satisfaction, which doesn’t fit this pattern.