Glossary
Self-reward
What is self-reward?
Self-reward means praising or rewarding yourself for effort or progress in a behavior. In the BCT Taxonomy, the technique involves prompting someone to do this.
After completing a difficult workout, a person might acknowledge the effort: “I showed up even though I didn't feel like it.” The acknowledgment illustrates self-reward.
The reward can also be something tangible or an enjoyable activity. Giving yourself a reward describes what you do; whether it reinforces the behavior depends on what happens afterward.
How it differs from self-incentive
Self-incentive is planning the reward. Self-reward is giving it. Neither should be confused with doing the activity because you enjoy it, which is intrinsic motivation.
The Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy identifies self-reward as technique 10.9.