82 WHAT EVERY BODY IS SAYING
Interlocking ankles is again part of the limbic response to freeze in
the face of a threat. Experienced nonverbal observers have noted how
often people who are lying will not move their feet in an interview, seem-
ing frozen, or they interlock their feet in such a way as to restrict move-
ment. This is consistent with research indicating that people tend to
restrict arm and leg movements when lying (Vrij, 2003, 24–27). Having
said this, I want to caution you that lack of movement is not in itself in-
dicative of deception; it is indicative of self-restraint and caution, which
both nervous and lying individuals utilize to assuage their concerns.
Some individuals take the interlocking feet or ankles one step fur-
ther; they actually lock their feet around the legs of their chair (see figure
29). This is a restraining (freeze) behavior that tells us, once again, that
something is troubling the person (see box 19).
The sudden locking of ankles around the legs of a
chair is part of the freeze response and is indicative
of discomfort, anxiety, or concern.Fig. 29