What is a Trigger vs Cue?

Hey friend! Terry here, your resident tech geek and data analyst. I‘m always trying to optimize my habits and behaviors, so I‘ve spent a lot of time researching triggers versus cues. Let me break it down for you!

Triggers

A trigger is something external that causes an automatic reaction or reflex in us. Our response is involuntary and subconscious.

For example, the smell of cookies baking might trigger a craving for something sweet. Or getting cut off in traffic might trigger feelings of anger and frustration.

Triggers activate our habitual behaviors and impulses. They pull from already established neural pathways and associations in our brains. We‘ve been conditioned to react to these triggers based on our past experiences and reinforcement history.

There are 5 main types of triggers:

• Situational – Being in a certain place that elicits a reaction. For example, a bar or restaurant can trigger cravings and eating behaviors.

• Sensory – Any of the 5 senses can serve as a trigger. Sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and smells we associate with past experiences.

• Cognitive/Emotional – Thoughts, memories, or feelings that induce a reaction. Like dwelling on an unpleasant conversation that triggers feelings of anger and hurt.

• Physiological – Internal states such as hunger, fatigue, or hormonal changes which trigger behaviors aimed at homeostasis.

• Environmental – External stimuli like weather, altitude, or ambient temperature that trigger reactions.

Triggers often prompt negative automatic behaviors like stress eating, procrastination, anger outbursts, etc. However, they can also be leveraged to support positive habits by strategically exposing ourselves to them.

For example, placing our running shoes by the bed triggers us to put them on first thing in the morning and go for a jog. Setting a daily alarm triggers us to take time for meditation.

The key is that triggers elicit reflexive, habitual behaviors over which we have little conscious control. But with self-awareness, we can anticipate triggers and purposefully expose ourselves to ones that support our goals.

Cues

Cues, on the other hand, are intentional signals used to prompt a specific action or response. We choose cues and strategically use them to elicit target behaviors.

For example, trainers use hand signals like sit and stay as cues during dog training. The cue elicits a specific trained behavior in the dog.

Cues can involve all the senses and take many forms:

• Verbal cues – spoken words or sounds
• Visual cues – images, text, colors, hand gestures
• Auditory cues – tones, music, alarms
• Tactile cues – touch, physical resistance
• Olfactory cues – smells, aromas

Cues allow us to induce deliberate actions in ourselves and others. We actively choose and arrange cues to serve as reminders, prompts or signals for desired behaviors.

My friend uses a rubber band on his wrist as a cue to remind himself to correct his posture throughout the day. I have an app that cues me to take a break from work every 45 minutes. Teachers use verbal cues like "eyes up here" to prompt student attention.

The key difference is that cues actively direct behavior, rather than eliciting automatic reactions. We design cues and "program" them to act as signals for specific actions. This is essential for training new habits.

Comparing Triggers and Cues

Why This Matters

Understanding triggers versus cues is really important in shaping your habits and behaviors.

Triggers activate impulses and reactions outside conscious control. The key is awareness – recognizing these triggers allows you to anticipate and thoughtfully manage automatic reactions.

Cues, on the other hand, allow you to elicit specific deliberate actions. You intentionally set these cues to act as behavioral prompts and reminders. This is essential in training new habits.

Master both awareness of triggers and strategic use of cues, and you‘ll be well on your way to habit success my friend! Let me know if you have any other questions.