Foreword
Foreword
Preface
Contents
Contributors
Chapter 1: Historical Lines and an Overview of Current Research on Flow
The Concept of Flow
Definition of Flow: Components of Flow
Flow as a Multifaceted Experience
Flow as a Subjective Experience
Flow as an Autotelic Experience
Flow as an Optimal Experience
Flow and Happiness
Historical Lines and Current Flow Research
The Beginning
Flow Theory
Theoretical Precursors of the Flow Theory
Similar Research in Germany
Flow in Daily Experience
Well-Being, Creativity, and Cultural Development
Current Developments
Current Topics and Concerns
Methodological Approaches
Study Questions
References
Chapter 2: On the Conceptualization and Measurement of Flow
Theory, Models, and Measurement Methods
Capturing Flow in Special Endeavors
Description of the Measurement Method
The First Model of the Flow State
Strengths and Weaknesses
Overall Assessment
Capturing Flow in Daily Experience
Description of the Measurement Method
The Quadrant Model and the Experience Fluctuation Model
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Quadrant and Experience Fluctuation Models
The Regression Modeling Approach
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Regression Modeling Approach
Overall Assessment
The Componential Approach: Capturing Flow as a Multidimensional State-Trait Variable
Description of the Measurement Method
The Componential Model
Strengths and Weaknesses
Overall Assessment
The Process Approach: Capturing Flow as a Pathway to Flow
Description of the Measurement Method
The Nonlinear Dynamic Model
Strengths and Weaknesses
Overall Assessment
Directions for Future Conceptual-Methodological Research
Study Questions
References
Chapter 3: Antecedents, Boundary Conditions and Consequences of Flow
Introduction
Part 1: Antecedents of Flow
Antecedent Factors Outlined in Flow Theory
Antecedent Factors Beyond a Perceived Fit of Skills and Task Demands
Perceived Fit of Skills and Task Demands `Above Average´´
The Revised Model of Flow Experiences
What Determines a Skill-Related Activity´s Subjective Value?
Part 2: Boundary Conditions of Flow
Personality Factors as Boundary Condition for Flow
Situational Factors as Boundary Conditions for Flow
Part 3: Consequences of Flow and a Skills-Demands Compatibility
Affective Consequences of Flow and a Skills-Demands Compatibility
Cognitive Consequences of Flow and a Skills-Demands Compatibility
Cognitive Capacity
Processing Styles
Flow and Performance
Academic Performance
Performance in Sports
Performance in Experimental Studies
Towards a Better Understanding of the Relationship Between Flow and Performance
Summary and Conclusion
Study Questions
References
Chapter 4: Flow in Nonachievement Situations
Introduction
Challenge and Skills in Nonachievement Situations
The Importance of Motives for Turning the Spotlight on an Action Opportunity
The Flow Hypothesis of Motivational Competence
Factors Contributing to Flow in Social Situations
Affiliation: Intimacy and Its Incentives
Studies on Flow in Social Situations
Flow in Groups
Factors Contributing to Flow in Power Situations
Power and Its Incentives
Studies on Flow in Power Situations
Flow in Competitions
Flow and Leadership
General Conclusion and Perspectives
Study Questions
References
Chapter 5: Flow Theory and Cognitive Evaluation Theory: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Flow Theory
The Optimal Challenge Proposition
State-Level Moderators of the Link Between Challenge and Enjoyment
Conclusion
Cognitive Evaluation Theory
The Perceived Competence Proposition
State-Level Moderators of the Link Between Perceived Competence and Enjoyment
Conclusion
Reconciling the Perceived Competence Proposition with the Optimal Challenge Proposition
CET and Optimal Challenge
Other Reasons Why Optimal Challenges Are Enjoyable
Optimal Challenges Maximize Attentional Involvement
Optimal Challenges Maximize Suspense
CET´s Perceived Autonomy Proposition
Conclusion
Study Questions
References
Chapter 6: On the Relationship Between Flow and Enjoyment
Csikszentmihalyi´s View of the Relationship
So What Is Enjoyment?
Flow and Enjoyment: Empirical Findings
Seligman´s Contrasting View of Flow
Three Possible Sources of Confusion
So Why Is Flow So Enjoyable?
Study Questions
References
Chapter 7: The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon
The Hitherto Neglected Dark Side of Flow
The Characteristics of Flow and Their Potential to Be Good or Bad
Flow and Addiction
Reward as a Mechanism by Which Flow Leads to Addiction
Flow and Exercise Addiction
Flow and Online Game Addiction and Internet Addiction
Flow and Risk-Taking
The Mechanisms that Link Flow with Low Risk Perception and High Risk-Taking
Studies Dealing with Flow and Risk Perception and Risk-Taking
Combat Flow
The Mechanism that Makes People Enjoy Killing
Broader Comments on the Dark and Bright Side of the Moon
Flow as a Universal Experience
Implications for Practical Interventions
Ethical Questions Related to Flow
Future Research Questions
Study Questions
References
Chapter 8: The Psychophysiology of Flow Experience
Introduction: Benefits of a Psychophysiological Perspective to Study Flow
Part 1: Existing Literature on the Psychophysiology of Flow Experience
Summary of Part 1: Status Quo of the Psychophysiology of Flow Experience
Part 2: The Psychophysiology of Flow Experience-A Theoretical Framework
A Comparison of the Flow Channel Model and the Transactional Stress Model
Flow and the General Adaptation Syndrome
A Working Definition of Flow Experience
Part 3: What DoesOptimized Physiological Activation´ Mean?
Optimal Functioning in the Brain
Contributions of the Neurotransmitter Dopamine
Electromyography
Cortisol
Cardiovascular Measures
Electrodermal Activity
Conclusion
An Integrative Definition of Flow Experience
Practical Implications
Directions for Future Research
Study Questions
References
Chapter 9: Autotelic Personality
Csikszentmihalyi´s Concept of an Autotelic Personality
General Idea
Previous Measurement Approaches
Personality Traits as Boundary Conditions of Flow
Achievement Motive
Self-Regulation
The Achievement Flow Motive Behind Flow Experience
Operant Measurement
Descriptives and Stability
Validity
A Functional Approach to Achievement Flow
PSI Theory
Achievement Flow Definitions
Trait Configurations
Behavioral Outcomes
Affiliation, Power, and Autonomy
Summary and Outlook
Summary
Outlook
Study Questions
References
Chapter 10: Social Flow
Solitary and Social Flow Compared
Theorized Social Conditions that Enable Social Flow
Theorized Transactions and Group Processes of Social Flow
Theorized Outcomes and Effects of Social Flow for Individuals
Theorized Outcomes and Effects of Social Flow for Groups
Some Practical Implications of Social Flow
Hypotheses and Speculations Needing More Research and Development
Summary and Conclusion
Study Questions
References
Chapter 11: Flow in the Context of Work
Introduction: Relevance of Flow at the Workplace
Today´s Changing Work Demands, and Flow as a Healthy Path to Productivity
Work-Related Consequences of Flow Experience
Consequences of Flow in the Individual Sphere
Performance
Well-Being and Job Satisfaction
Self-Efficacy
Consequences of Flow in the Organizational/Social Sphere
Consequences of Flow in the Task Sphere
Conclusion on the Consequences of Experiencing Flow
Antecedents of Flow at Work
Antecedents in the Individual Sphere
Personality
Self-Efficacy
Psychological Capital
Antecedents at the Job/Task Level
Job Dimensions According to the Job Characteristics Model
Stress-Related Task Demands
Antecedents at the Organizational/Social Level
Antecedents at the Intersections
Antecedents at the Intersection Between the Individual and the Task Spheres
Balance Between Individual Skills and Task Demands
Fit Between Personality Traits and Task Characteristics
Interest, Subjective Value and Personal Relevance
Antecedents at the Intersection Between the Individual and the Organizational/Social Spheres
Antecedents at the Intersection Between All Spheres
Conclusion on the Antecedents of Flow
Implications for Practice
Implications in the Individual Sphere
Implications for the Job/Task Sphere and Its Interactions with the Individual Sphere
Implications in the Organizational/Social Sphere and Its Interactions with the Individual Sphere
Directions for Future Research
General Conclusion
Study Questions
References
Chapter 12: Flow Experience in Human Development: Understanding Optimal Functioning Along the Lifespan
Flow Experience in Human Development
From Developmental Science to Flow Experience: Through the Lens of Ecological Human Development
Flow in Development and the Experience of Human Complexity: Towards the Optimal Experience
Applications: Psychological Interventions to Foster Flow and Optimal Experience
Flow Experience Across the Life Span: Empirical Findings
Infants, Toddlers and Children
In Summary
Adolescents
In Summary
Adults
In Summary
The Elderly
In Summary
Conclusion
Study Questions
References
Chapter 13: Flow in Sports and Exercise: A Historical Overview
Introduction: Flow in Performance Sports
Part 1: The Experience of Flow in Sports
Flow Occurrence
Controllability of Flow in Sports
Flow and Performance in Sports
Part 2: Flow in Primary and Secondary Prevention Settings
Measuring Flow in Sports
Interviews
Experience Sampling Method
Questionnaires
Conclusion
Part 3: Flow in Team Sports
Theoretical Assumptions to Explain Team Flow
Part 4: Discussion and Future Perspectives
Study Questions
References
Chapter 14: Flow in Music and Arts
Introduction
Individual and Collective Flow Experiences in Music and Dance
State Flow Experiences in Relation to Artistic Creation and Performance
Trait Flow Proneness and Artistic Creativity
Conclusion and Suggestions for Future Research
Practical Implications
Study Questions
References
Chapter 15: Flowing Technologies: The Role of Flow and Related Constructs in Human-Computer Interaction
Introduction
Flow and Video Games
Flow and Virtual Reality
Flow in Positive Technologies
Future Research: Flow in Human-Computer Confluence and Transformative Experience Design
Conclusions
Study Questions
References
Chapter 16: Theoretical Integration and Future Lines of Flow Research
Summary of the Chapters of This Book
Overarching Topics and Open Research Questions
Are There Core Components of Flow?
Frequency, Intensity, Duration and Dynamics of Flow-Episodes
Frequency vs. Intensity
Frequency and Intensity of the Components of Flow
Duration of Flow Episodes
Dynamics Within Flow Episodes
Agreement on a Common Flow Measure
Antecedents of Flow
Balance of Demands and Skills and Its Moderating Factors
Antecedents Beyond a Demand-Skill Balance
An Integrative Framework of Flow Antecedents
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Reasons for Action
Development of an Autotelic Personality
Consequences of Flow
Practical Relevance of Flow
References
Index