Glossary
Imaginary reward
What is imaginary reward?
Imaginary reward asks a person to imagine performing a wanted behavior in a real-life situation and then imagine a pleasant consequence.
How it works
The imagined consequence follows the imagined action. Imagining only a desired result is not the complete sequence described by the technique, and an imagined reward is distinct from delivering a real reward.
Illustrative example
A runner imagines completing a planned training session and then enjoying a warm shower and the satisfaction of having finished. The sequence matters: first the action, then its pleasant consequence. Picturing only a marathon medal leaves out the behavior being rehearsed.
Evidence and limits
The original BCT Taxonomy v1 definitions specify this as technique 16.2. The aim is to connect a wanted action with an anticipated benefit. But an imagined reward is not a substitute for making the behavior feasible or rewarding in daily life. The taxonomy does not show that this technique reliably increases motivation.