The flow experience definition4/1/2023 ![]() We have used Csikszentmihalyi’s theoretical framework indicating various associations between the elements that were brought out by the systematic review of Swann and his colleagues (Swann, Keegan, Piggott, & Crust, 2012). They are characterized both by receptive qualities (e.g., openness to new experiences) and active qualities (e.g., the tendency to engage in challenging activities) (Csikszentmihalyi et al., 1993). The notion of the autotelic personality involves individuals whose skills enable them to have an innate general curiosity in life, persistence, low self-centeredness and an ability to be motivated by intrinsic rewards. The feeling of enjoyment and intrinsic motivation increases the absorption and the interest in a task and creates what we call the flow experience. That continuum fosters enjoyment and peak performance as a result. Commitment and motives towards mastering the challenges and skills drive the person towards practice and gaining expertise in a task (e.g. Flow lays as a growth principle in the maintenance of the challenge-skill balance. Also, in order to reach and maintain positioning within the flow channel, there must be a delicate balance between our skills and challenges level, otherwise we might experience boredom or apathy (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009 Hefferon & Bonniwell, 2011). Rules and a clear outline facilitate flow experiences because they help to orientate the person while feedback gives information that they are on the right pace towards their desired goals. The concept of flow, therefore, is based both on the self-determination theory (SDT) and the self-determination continuum as presented by Deci and Ryan (2002), and the autotelic personality concept (Csikszentmihalyi, Rathunde, & Whalen, 1993). Finally, we want to repeat the activity for the sake of the experience itself, not expecting external rewards but experiencing an intrinsic motivation towards the activity. Our attention is so fully invested in the task at hand that there is little, or none left over to devote toward the mental processes that contribute to the experience of duration. The experience becomes enjoyable and rewarding as we gain a sense of control over what we are doing. Furthermore, the loss of self-consciousness and pursuit of clear goals result in the exclusion of thoughts and feelings that people experience as negative. Thus, in the flow experience, attentional resources are fully invested in the task at hand. ![]() Important key conditions to facilitate the flow experience are: a) clear goals and immediate feedback in a structured activity, b) balance of challenge versus skills, and c) an autotelic personality. The basic aspects of the flow state are, as outlined by Csikszentmihalyi (1996) : 1) a merging of action and awareness, 2) a sense of control, 3) a transformation of time, and 4) an autotelic experience. ![]() ![]() Csikszentmihalyi pointed out that there is a set of characteristics, which differentiate actions that activate flow from other types of actions in our everyday lives (Csikszentmihalyi & Csikszentmihalyi, 1988). Flow is not just having fun it is much more specific than that (Landhäuber & Keller, 2012). Attention is fully invested in the task at hand and the person functions at her or his fullest capacity” (Csikszentmihalyi, 2009: p. This is what can be described as flow, the feeling of “being in the zone”!įlow is defined as “the intense experiential involvement in moment-to-moment activity, which can be physical or mental. Were you ever so deeply in what you were doing that you didn’t notice anything around you, only to find out that a few hours have gone by without even noticing it? And you felt that you had experienced your best performance in this activity. ![]()
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