Flow is a psychological state where one is fully immersed and focused on an activity, leading to enjoyment and a sense of achievement. Coined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, it requires clear goals, a balance of skill and challenge, and immediate feedback. Flow is crucial for personal growth, positive psychology, and can be therapeutic, enhancing life satisfaction and mental health.
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Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a psychologist, coined the term "flow" to describe a state of optimal experience
Unity of action and consciousness
In flow, individuals experience a merging of action and consciousness
Sense of personal control or mastery
Flow is characterized by a sense of personal control or mastery over the situation
Distortion in perception of time
Time may seem to pass more quickly or slowly than usual in a state of flow
Flow is associated with increased happiness, creativity, and fulfillment, making it a central concept in positive psychology
Flow requires clear and attainable goals to provide direction and purpose
A balance between skill level and challenge is necessary for achieving flow
Flow is facilitated by immediate and relevant feedback, allowing for adjustments and a sense of personal control
Engaging in flow-inducing activities can lead to continuous improvement, increased self-efficacy, and a sense of accomplishment
Flow has practical applications in enhancing mental health and well-being, such as in art therapy and rehabilitation
Flow can be experienced in a wide range of activities, from sports to creative endeavors to everyday tasks
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Characteristics of Flow
Intense focus, full involvement, enjoyment, engagement, sense of ecstasy, deep concentration, action-awareness merging, loss of self-consciousness.
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Temporal Experience in Flow
Time perception altered; may feel like standing still or changing pace during deep flow state.
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Intrinsic Reward of Flow
Activity itself is rewarding, leading to self-contained satisfaction; known as autotelic experience.
