What is Social Penetration Theory

Sam is a transgender individual navigating work and life. Linda, a colleague of Sam's, is an older employee who knows her way around their workplace, Living Life, an organization focused on assisting (dis)abled individuals with a range of life skills. When Linda discovers Sam's gender identity, Linda withdraws and changes the way she interacts with Sam. John attempts to understand both perspectives but is not given enough information to act in one way or the other. The case is explored using transgender standpoint epistemology, social penetration theory, expectancy violations theory, and transgender standpoint epistemology.