Which of the following is an example of External Anchoring?

Which of the following is an example of External Anchoring?

• A. Hand on shoulder
• B. Handshake
• C. Nodding
• D. Eye contact

Answer: (A)

External anchoring uses a cue that comes from outside the person to trigger a specific mental or emotional state. A hand on the shoulder fits this idea because it’s a tangible, physical touch that another person can apply to ground, reassure, or calm someone, and it can be repeated to reliably evoke the same response. In contrast, a handshake is more of a social ritual signaling greeting or agreement rather than a deliberate cue to induce a consistent internal state. Nodding is a reaction or feedback from the other person, and eye contact is a visual cue for engagement, not an anchor you deliberately use to produce a stored response.

External anchoring uses a cue that comes from outside the person to trigger a specific mental or emotional state. A hand on the shoulder fits this idea because it’s a tangible, physical touch that another person can apply to ground, reassure, or calm someone, and it can be repeated to reliably evoke the same response.

In contrast, a handshake is more of a social ritual signaling greeting or agreement rather than a deliberate cue to induce a consistent internal state. Nodding is a reaction or feedback from the other person, and eye contact is a visual cue for engagement, not an anchor you deliberately use to produce a stored response.