Skip to Main Content

Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology
2022. Vol. 11, no. 3, 152–165
doi:10.17759/jmfp.2022110314
ISSN: 2304-4977 (online)

Flow theory in foreign and Russian psychology: history, contemporary state of arts and perspectives of development

465

L.A. Aleksandrova

PDF (RUS)
Online translation in english
GS
Information
in Google Scholar

Abstract

The article describes the theoretical premises and the logic of the emergence of the Flow concept and its development in almost half of the century. The article presents an overview of the current state of arts in Flow theory being developed by M. Csikszentmihalyi and his followers. Different models of Flow are described, main directions of Flow research are analyzed, an overview of research methods and techniques are highlighted, including qualitative (interviews) and quantitative methods (questionnaires, experience sampling method (ESM). The possibilities and directions of further development of the Flow ideas and research, including interdisciplinary ones, are discussed. The ideas and concepts of representatives of modern Russian psychology, most close to the ideas of M. Csikszentmihalyi and their contribution to flow understanding are listed.

General Information

Keywords: flow, near-flow states, autotelic, intrinsic motivation, flow measurement, challenge|mastery balance, development

Journal rubric: General Psychology

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2022110314

Funding. The reported study was funded by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), project number 20-113-50643.

For citation: Aleksandrova L.A. Flow theory in foreign and Russian psychology: history, contemporary state of arts and perspectives of development [Elektronnyi resurs]. Sovremennaia zarubezhnaia psikhologiia = Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 2022. Vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 152–165. DOI: 10.17759/jmfp.2022110314. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. Levit L. Z. Issledovanie osnovnykh ponyatii pozitivnoi psikhologii s pomoshch’yu metodov vyborki perezhivanii (ESM) [Investigation of basic notions of positive psychology with an aid of Experience Sampling Method (ESM)] [Elektronnyi resurs]. Sovremennaya zarubezhnaya psikhologiya = Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 2013. Vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 19—44. URL: https://psyjournals.ru/jmfp/2013/n3/63496.shtml (Accessed 29.08.2021). (In Russ.).
  2. Leontiev D. A., Klein K. G. Kachestvo motivatsii i kachestvo perezhivanii kak kharakteristiki uchebnoi deyatel’nosti [The quality of motivation and the quality of experiences as characteristics of learning activities] [Elektronnyi resurs]. Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 14. Psikhologiya [Bulletin of Moscow University. Episode 14], 2018, no. 4, pp. 106—119. URL: https://msupsyj.ru/articles/detail.php?article=7660 (Accessed 20.08.2021). (In Russ.).
  3. Osin E. N., Leontiev D. A. Diagnostika perezhivanii v professional’noi deyatel’nosti: validizatsiya metodiki [Assessment of subjective experiences at work: Validation of an instrument] [Elektronnyi resurs]. Organizatsionnaya psikhologiya = Organizational psychology, 2017. Vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 30—51. URL: https://orgpsyjournal.hse.ru/2017-7-2/206996642.html (Accessed 20.08.2021). (In Russ.).
  4. Klein K. G., Leontiev D. A., Kostenko V. Yu., Osin E. N., Taranenko O. A., Kosheleva N. V. Perezhivaniya v raznykh vidakh deyatel’nosti: vremennaya dinamika i soderzhatel’naya validnost’ [Experiences in Different Activities: Temporal Dynamics and Construct Validity]. Psikhologicheskaya nauka i obrazovanie = Psychological Science and Education, 2019. Vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 47—57. DOI:10.17759/pse.2019240505 (In Russ.).
  5. Swann C., Keegan R. J., Piggott D., Crust L. A systematic review of the experience, occurrence, and controllability of flow states in elite sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2012. Vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 807—819. DOI:10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.05.006
  6. Abuhamdeh S., Csikszentmihalyi M. Attentional involvement and intrinsic motivation. Motivation and Emotion, 2012. Vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 257—267. DOI:10.1007/s11031-011-9252-7
  7. Abuhamdeh S., Csikszentmihalyi M. The importance of challenge for the enjoyment of intrinsically motivated, goal- directedactivities. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2012.Vol.38, no. 3,pp. 317—330. DOI:10.1177/0146167211427147
  8. Peifer C., Engeser S. (eds.) Advances in flow research. New York: Springer Cham, 2021. 460 p. DOI:10.1007/978-3-030- 53468-4
  9. Aleksandrova L. A., Aysmontas B. B., Lvova I. V. Flow, Intrinsic motivation, and subjective wellbeing in educational settings [Elektronnyi resurs]. In Castelli L., Marcionetti J., Plata A., Ambrosetti A. (eds.), Wellbeing in educational systems. Conference Abstract Book. Locarno, 2019. Bern: Hofrege, 2019, pp. 235—240. URL: https://www2.supsi.ch/cms/wellbeing/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2019/11/2ndEdition_BookOfAbstract.pdf (Accessed 21.08.2021).
  10. Asakawa K. Flow experience, culture, and well-being: How do autotelic Japanese college students feel, behave, and think in their daily lives? Journal of Happiness Studies, 2010. Vol. 11, pp. 205—223. DOI:10.1007/s10902-008-9132-3
  11. Bakker A. B. The work-related flow inventory: Construction and initial validation of the WOLF. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2008. Vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 400—414. DOI:10.1016/j.jvb.2007.11.007
  12. Baumann N., Lürig C., Engeser S. Flow and enjoyment beyond skill-demand balance: The role of game pacing curves and personality. Motivation and Emotion, 2016, no. 40, pp. 507—519. DOI:10.1007/s11031-016-9549-7
  13. Baumann N., Scheffer D. Seeing and mastering difficulty: The role of affective change in achievement flow. Cognition and Emotion, 2010. Vol. 24, no. 8, pp. 1304—1328. DOI:10.1080/02699930903319911
  14. Cermakova L., Moneta G. B., Spada M. M. Dispositional flow as a mediator of the relationships between attentional control and approaches to studying during academic examination preparation. Educational Psychology, 2010. Vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 495—511. DOI:10.1080/01443411003777697
  15. Csikszentmihalyi M. Applications of Flow in Human Development and Education. The Collected Works of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. New York — London: Springer, 2014. 500 p. DOI:10.1007/978-94-017-9094-9
  16. Csikszentmihalyi M. Flow and the Foundations of Positive Psychology. The Collected Works of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. New York — London: Springer, 2014. 313 p. DOI:10.1007/978-94-017-9088-8
  17. Csikszentmihalyi M., Asakawa K. Universal and cultural dimensions of optimal experiences. Japanese Psychological Research, 2016. Vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 4—13. DOI:10.1111/jpr.12104
  18. Csikszentmihalyi M., Nakamura J. Effortless attention in everyday life: A systematic phenomenology. In Bruya B. (ed.), Effortless attention. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2010, pp. 179—189. DOI:10.7551/mitpress/9780262013840.003.0009
  19. Delle Fave A. Past, Present, and Future of Flow. In Boniwell I., David S. A., Ayers A. C. (eds.), Oxford Handbook of Happiness. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013, pp. 60—72. DOI:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199557257.013.0005
  20. Delle Fave A., Massimini F., Bassi M. Psychological Selection and Optimal Experience Across Cultures. Social Empowerment through Personal Growth. In Delle Fave A., Massimini F., Bassi M. (eds.), Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology 2. Series. Berlin: Springer, 2011. 386 p.
  21. Dietrich A. Neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the experience of flow [Elektronnyi resurs]. Consciousness and Cognition, 2004. Vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 746—761. DOI:10.1016/j.concog.2004.07.002
  22. Dormashev Yu. B. Flow Experience Explained on the Grounds of Activity Approach to Attention In Bruya B. B. (ed.), Effortless Attention: A New Perspective on Attention and Action. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2010, pp. 287—334.
  23. Eisenberger R., Jones J. R., Stinglhamber F., Shanock L., Randall A. T. Flow experiences at work: For high need achievers alone? Journal of Organizational Behavior, 2005. Vol. 26, no. 7, pp. 755—775. DOI:10.1002/job.337
  24. Fong C. J., Zaleski D. J., Leach J. K. The challenge – skill balance and antecedents of flow: A meta-analytic investigation. Journal of Positive Psychology, 2015. Vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 425—446. DOI:10.1080/17439760.2014.967799
  25. Hektner J. M., Schmidt J. A., Csikszentmihalyi M. Experience sampling method: Measuring the quality of everyday life. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2007.xiii, 352 p. DOI:10.4135/9781412984201
  26. de Manzano Ö., Cervenka S., Jucaite A., Hellenas O., Farde L., Ullén F. Individual differences in the proneness to have flow experiences are linked to dopamine D2-receptor availability in the dorsal striatum. Neuroimage, 2013. Vol. 67, pp. 1—6. DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.10.072
  27. Jackson S. A., Eklund R. C. Assessing flow in physical activity: The Flow State Scale-2 (FSS-2) and Dispositional Flow Scale-2 (DFS-2). Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2002. Vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 133—150. DOI:10.1123/ jsep.24.2.133
  28. Jackson S. A., Martin A. J., Eklund R. C. Long and short measures of flow: Examining construct validity of the FSS-2, DFS-2, and new brief counterparts. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2008. Vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 561—587. DOI:10.1123/jsep.30.5.561
  29. Kuhnle C., Hofer M., Kilian B. Self-control as predictor of school grades, life balance, and flow in adolescents. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 2012. Vol. 82, no. 4, pp. 533—548. DOI:10.1111/j.2044-8279.2011.02042.x
  30. Martin A. J., Jackson S. A. Brief approaches to assessing task absorption and enhanced subjective experience: Examining “short” and “core” flow in diverse performance domains. Motivation and Emotion, 2008. Vol. 32, no. 3, pp.141—157. DOI:10.1007/s11031-008-9094-0
  31. Moneta G. B. On the measurement and conceptualization of flow. In Engeser S. (ed.), Advances in flow research. New York: Springer, 2012, pp. 23—50. DOI:10.1007/978-1-4614-2359-1
  32. Nakamura J., Csikszentmihalyi M. The Experience of Flow: Theory and Research. In Lopez S. J., Snyder C. R. (eds.), Oxford handbook of positive psychology. 3nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020, pp. 195—206. DOI:10.1093/ oxfordhb/9780199396511.013.16
  33. Nakamura J., Roberts S. The Hypo-egoic Component of Flow. In Brown K. W., Leary M. R. (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Hypo-egoic Phenomena. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017, pp. 133—146. DOI:10.1093/ oxfordhb/9780199328079.013.9
  34. Nakamura J., Tse D. S. K, Shankland S. Flow: The Experience of Intrinsic Motivation. In Ryan R. (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation (2nd edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019, pp. 169—185. DOI:10.1093/ oxfordhb/9780190666453.013.10
  35. Weibel D., Wissmath B., Habegger S., Steiner Y., Groner R. Playing online games against computer— vs. human-controlled opponents: Effects on presence, flow and enjoyment. Computers in Human Behavior, 2008. Vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 2274—2291. DOI:10.1016/j.chb.2007.11.002
  36. Ullén E, de Manzano Ö., Almeida R., Magnusson P. K. E., Pedersen N. L., Nakamura J., Csíkszentmihályi M., Madison G. Proneness for psychological flow in everyday life: Associations with personality and intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 2012. Vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 167—172. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2011.10.003
  37. Rathunde K. Family context and the development of undivided interest: A longitudinal study of family support and challenge and adolescents’ quality of experience. In Csikszentmihalyi M., Schneider B. (eds.), Applied Developmental Science. New York: Psychology Press, 2001, pp. 158—171.
  38. Rathunde K., Csikszentmihalyi M. The developing person: An experiential perspective. In Lerner R. M., Damon W. (eds.), Handbook of child psychology. New York: Wiley, 2006, pp. 465—515. DOI:10.1002/9780470147658.chpsy0109
  39. Reed J. H., Schallert D. L., Deithloff L. F. Investigating the interface between self-regulation and involvement processes. Educational Psychologist, 2002. Vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 53—57. DOI:10.1207/S15326985EP3701_6
  40. Ross S. R., Keiser H. N. Autotelic personality through a five-factor lens: Individual differences in flow-propensity. Personality and Individual Differences, 2014. Vol. 59, pp. 3—8. DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2013.09.029
  41. Schmidt J. A., Shernoff D. J., Csikszentmihalyi M. Individual and situational factors related to the experience of flow in adolescence a multilevel approach. In Csikszentmihalyi M. (ed.), Applications of Flow in Human Development and Education: The Collected Works of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. New York — London: Springer Netherlands, 2014, pp. 379— 405. DOI:10.1007/978-94-017-9094-9_20
  42. Schüler J., Brunner S. The rewarding effect of flow experience on performance in a marathon race. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2009. Vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 168—174. DOI:10.1016/j.psychsport.2008.07.001
  43. Schüler J., Nakamura J. Does flow experience lead to risk? How and for whom. Applied Psychology: Health and WellBeing, 2013. Vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 311—331. DOI:10.1111/aphw.12012
  44. Sheldon K. M., Prentice M., Halusic M. The experiential incompatibility of mindfulness and flow absorption. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2015. Vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 276—283. DOI:10.1177/1948550614555028
  45. Tse D. C. K., Fung H. H., Nakamura J., Csikszentmihalyi C. Teamwork and flow proneness mitigate the negative effect of excess challenge on flow state. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2018. Vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 284—289. DOI:10.1080/1743 9760.2016.1257059
  46. Tse D. C. K., Lau W., Perlman R., McLaughlin M. The development and validation of the Autotelic Personality Questionnaire. Journal of Personality Assessment, 2020. Vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 88—101. DOI:10.1080/00223891.2018.1491855
  47. Johnson J. A., Keiser H. N., Skarin E. M., Ross S. R. The dispositional flow scale-2 as a measure of autotelic personality: An examination of criterion-related validity. Journal of Personality Assessment, 2014. Vol. 96, no. 4, pp. 465—470. DOI:10. 1080/00223891.2014.891524
  48. Ullén F., Theorell T., Harmat L., de Manzano Ö. The physiology of effortless attention: Correlates of State Flow and Flow Proneness. In Bruya B. (ed.), Effortless attention: a new perspective in the cognitive science of attention and action. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2010, pp. 205—217. DOI:10.7551/mitpress/9780262013840.003.0011
  49. Peifer C., Schulz A., Schachinger H., Baumann N., Antoni C. H. The relation of flow-experience and physiological arousal under stress — Can u shape it? Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2014. Vol. 53, pp. 62—69. DOI:10.1016/j.jesp.2014.01.009
  50. Van den Hout J. J., Davis O. C. Team Flow: The psychology of optimal collaboration. Cham: Springer, 2019. 127 p.DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-27871-7

Information About the Authors

Lada A. Aleksandrova, PhD in Psychology, Leading Analyst of the Federal Coordination Center for the Provision of Psychological Services in the Education System of the Russian Federation, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology & Pedagogy of Distance Learning, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology at National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3539-8058, e-mail: ladaleksandrova@mail.ru

Metrics

Views

Total: 5792
Previous month: 381
Current month: 226

Downloads

Total: 465
Previous month: 16
Current month: 12