One is that the part of the theory that discusses the depenetration part of a relationship as a slow layer-by layer withdrawal does not always seem to hold true. This constituted immediate depenetration and withdrawal from that person, which conflicts with Altman and Taylor's theory. This conflicts with Altman and Taylor's idea that as depenetration occurs, the depth of self-disclosure decreases and all that is left at the end is surface talk. This theory of social penetration can be judged from a humanistic perspective of communication. One idea of the humanist standard is that of free will.
Humanists believe that every person has a conscious choice on what they want to do.
The social penetration theory and the act of self-disclosing is a choice a person makes. We choose who we want to self-disclose to and who we don't. We also have the free will to depenetrate from a relationship if the costs outweigh the rewards and we do not want to be vulnerable and self-disclose anymore. Humanists also view theories and the interpretation that is created from them. In looking at the social penetration theory we could say that a humanist is exploring the web of meaning that is created from the interaction.