Flow Theory

 

 Flow is a mental condition that occurs when a person engaged in an activity becomes fully absorbed in that activity. Usually, people decide where they want to focus their attention. However, they engage in activities unconsciously when they are in a flow. They become fully absorbed in the activities unconsciously. They become unaware of everything around them except for the action that has engaged them. They do not see or hear people around them; time passes without them noticing, and they even disregard their physiological needs. A flow state occurs when a person unconsciously invests all his attention in a task. He no longer has any more bits of attention to divert to another activity or occurrence.

Conditions for Flow to Occur

There are three primary conditions that people and their activities must meet for them to experience flow.

1. An activity must have clear goals and milestones.

2. The performance of the activity must receive immediate feedback.

3. There must be a right balance between the level of skills of a person and the level of challenge the activity presents.

Factors that hinder Flow

Certain personal elements can block one from experiencing flow. The three common personal factors are apathy, monotony, and anxiety. Apathy is a situation where a person lacks interest in an activity. Monotony occurs when one has developed a high level of skills in acting, such that the action no longer challenges him and does not demand his attention. Anxiety occurs when the level of challenge an action presents is so high that an individual's perceived skills are needed to meet the challenge. In such a situation, a person becomes stressed and uneasy.

Autotelic personality and the flow

 An autotelic personality is a personality that drives a person to engage in an activity with the desire to experience the action as its primary goal. The main characteristics of an autotelic personality are curiosity/persistence, low self-centeredness, and intrinsic motivation. People with autotelic personalities are highly likely to experience flow.

Components/Outcomes of Flow

When a person is in a flow state, specific actions or feelings engulf them. These actions/feelings are the components/outcomes of flow. They are concentration, ecstasy, inner clarity, confidence, serenity, and timelessness. Sport is an example of an activity that generates flow Sports present challenges to those who engage in them. Thus, sporting activities provide players with the opportunity to experience flow.