Answer: This response, which sends a disconfirming message to the other person, is known as stonewalling.
Explanation:
Stonewalling is one's refusal to communicate with another person. This often happens as a result of conflict, when people avoid emotional discussions so as to prevent further arguing. Stonewalling might occur out of fear, or as an attempt to minimize tension in a difficult situation.
However, stonewalling can also be a manipulative technique that people employ to punish the other person. If a person deliberately prevents the other person from addressing the issue and communicating, it can negatively impact one's self-esteem and prevent the other person from normal functioning.
