This typology can help us understand the causes of silence. First we must distinguish between voluntary silence and the feeling of being silenced. Voluntary Silence Competitive types aren't silent. Consensus types are silent to avoid offending others or making them uncomfortable. Protected types are silent when they feel unsure of their own views, or when they think they may not be sufficiently protected from challenges.
Restrained types are silent in order to avoid conflict.
Feeling Silenced Competitive types can be silenced by actual threats that don't permit argument Consensus types feel silenced when they are disagreed with, they think it means others are not listening. Protected types feel silenced by the presence of a perceived authority, one that might legitimately challenge their own views. Restrained types don't feel silenced, they never wanted to talk in the first place. Note that each type feels silenced by what they perceive as a lack of tolerance. Each of these types is both a personal style and a possible structure for group interaction.