Investigating the "Flow" Experience: Key Conceptual and Operational Issues.
Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2020 Sami Abuhamdeh 140 citations
Flow, a concept introduced by Csikszentmihalyi in 1975, has been studied extensively for over forty years, yet understanding has advanced little beyond his original insights. This conceptual analysis argues that progress is hindered by inconsistent ways researchers define and measure flow. Among 42 recent studies, 24 distinct operationalizations were found. Three key inconsistencies are identified: treating flow as continuous versus discrete, as inherently enjoyable or not, and as dependent on or separate from the conditions that elicit it. The author recommends defining flow exclusively as a discrete, highly enjoyable optimal state, distinct from its antecedents, and suggests that lesser engagement be called task involvement instead.