Why people use the silent treatment, as per psychology

We’ve all been there– everything seems fine one moment, and then, out of nowhere, someone goes completely silent. Whether it’s a partner, a colleague, or a friend, the silent treatment can leave us confused and frustrated. Why does it happen? Is it about avoiding conflict, or is there something deeper going on? Silence might seem like someone’s just being passive, but often, there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. Here are a few reasons why someone might stay quiet instead of speaking up.