Understanding the Orienting Freeze Point

In this article, we’ll dive into the signs that may indicate someone is hiding information from us. We’ll start with the first physiological reaction: the orienting freeze point (OFP). But before we discuss how it manifests, let’s look at why our bodies have this reaction in the first place.

What Is the Orienting Freeze Point?

The orienting freeze point is directly linked to adaptation. Adaptation is the process by which our bodies adjust to the conditions of the surrounding world. But before adapting, the body needs to determine whether a new stimulus is safe. To be cautious, our bodies react with heightened attention to anything unfamiliar. The OFP is based on the orienting reflex, a concept discovered by the famous Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov and his students.

Researchers in Pavlov’s lab noticed that when Pavlov entered the room, the dogs they were observing would temporarily stop salivating. The idea behind this reflex is that we react more strongly to new stimuli than to familiar ones. In other words, “Better safe than sorry!”

Everyday Example

Imagine you’re scheduled for a lecture at your university. You walk into the classroom, but at the last minute, the professor decides to change the plan and hold a seminar instead. The first person they call on is you. In that moment, you freeze, your breathing pauses, and you quickly assess the situation and your readiness for this unexpected change. This is the freeze point, where you evaluate the stimulus and decide how to respond.

The Orienting Freeze Point in Job Interviews

This phenomenon often appears during hiring processes. When meeting someone for the first time, most people want to present themselves in the best possible light, sometimes even better than they really are. Job interviews are no exception. In fact, candidates typically tell the truth only about 40% of the time during interviews. The first OFPs often occur when you ask about the reason for leaving a previous job. You’ll usually hear socially acceptable answers like “Low salary,” “No career growth,” or “Wanted more development.” Rarely does anyone admit to failing at their tasks, being caught stealing, or not getting along with a new manager.

When you ask a candidate a question they’re uncomfortable answering truthfully, they start thinking about how to respond. This thinking time creates a pause—the orienting freeze point.

How the Orienting Freeze Point Manifests

• Increased muscle tension: The person becomes tense for a moment.
• Longer response time: There’s a noticeable pause between the end of your question and the start of their answer. To gauge what’s normal for them, ask a simple question first, like “Do you have any pets?”
• Instant freezing: The person seems to freeze for a brief moment—their gaze, movements, and even breathing stop.

During the OFP, the person is evaluating the context and situation. They’re at a crossroads, deciding whether to adapt by telling the truth or by lying. Remember, lying is always a conscious choice.

Important Note

If you notice an orienting freeze point, the person could end up telling the truth or lying. The OFP is a red flag for possible deception, but it’s not a 100% indicator of lying. It simply shows that the person is taking a moment to decide how to respond.

The duration of the OFP varies from person to person. It can be just milliseconds or a noticeably long pause. Experienced liars often try to mask the OFP by drinking water, making a joke, repeating or clarifying your question—anything to buy themselves a little more time to think.

Summary

After establishing a behavioral baseline with simple questions, ask the question you’re really interested in. If you observe an orienting freeze point, it means the person is deciding how to respond—whether to adapt by telling the truth or by lying. Remember, the OFP doesn’t always mean a lie will follow.