When accessing memories, we have a ‘hook’ that we use to bring them into awareness. This is called a retrieval cue. There is more on this in the topic on Memory. This cue or hook will be in a specific representational system and for many people this will be consistent, regardless of the content of the memory they are accessing. For example, if they use a visual cue, they will flick to visual before accessing any memory, even if it is not a visual memory.

Note that a person’s lead system may well be different to their preferred or primary representational system.