Neutral cue

A neutral cue is a cue which will not impart any pollution into the viewer's session. For example, cueing with "Is it bright?" will suggest to the viewer that it is. Cueing with, "Is it dark?" will suggrst that it is. Therefore, a set of standardized neutral cue words has been developed for use within CRV sessions. (See the CRV manual for the list of these words.) Other neutral cue words can be developed between a viewer and monitor, but must be done outside and away from any sessions.

A monitor must understand that it is not only cue words, but also how they are used which can carry such pollution. For example, repeating a cue word too often or putting extra stress on such neutral cue words as "smell" can suggest that the viewer has to pay special attention to that aspect of the target.

Phrasing can also add pollution, and for that reason, single-word cueing is most desirable, and is normally kept to a maximum of two or three word phrases. For example, cues such as "colors?", "smells?", "tastes?", etc. are most desirable, but you can sometimes need to say such cueing as, "associated colors?", "important sounds?", etc.

It is always important for a monitor to remember that the cueing is NEVER meant to guide the session. In practice and operational modes, especially, it is the monitor's job to sit there and remain quiet whenever possible. The monitor is NEVER supposed to lead the viewer. It is only used when the viewer is in danger of "grinding to a halt" that the cues are given.

Because of this, it is also important for the monitor to realize that neutral cues, unlike "action cues", are just "pokes to the ribs" of the viewer, and not actual questions. If the viewer begins answering them as the monitor cues them, the monitor's job is to stop cueing. Answering is a conscious-mind process, and not viewing.

See also, "action cues" and "move commands".