Cues

Cues are signals or prompts that influence behavior, perception, memory, or action. They can be external stimuli, such as a light, sound, or odor, or contextual information that signals what comes next. Cues are central to many fields, including psychology, linguistics, performing arts, and design.

In psychology, cueing refers to presenting a stimulus to trigger a response or retrieve information from memory. Cues can facilitate conditioning, prime expectations, or aid retrieval from episodic memory, as in cue-dependent memory. The strength and interpretation of a cue depend on prior associations and current context. Cues can be intentional (instructional cues) or incidental (unintended environmental signals).

In the performing arts, cues are prompts that coordinate actions. In theatre, cue lines, lighting cues, sound cues, and stage directions tell actors and technicians when to enter or perform. A cue sheet lists timing and associated actions. In music, a cue is a brief musical excerpt or instruction indicating another instrument's entrance or the practical cue to start playing. In film and television, cueing coordinates editing, sound effects, and actor entrances.

In communication and design, social cues are nonverbal signals such as body language or tone that convey meaning. Linguistic cues include intonation, discourse markers, and syntactic prompts that help listeners parse information. Environmental cues in consumer behavior guide choices, for example, lighting or signage shaping perception and behavior. Cues are highly context-dependent and can reinforce or overshadow explicit messages.