Psychology of Aspiration (Csikszentmihalyi)

FLOW RESEARCH

FLOW “The state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.” _________ so-called “optimal experience,” or Maslow’s “peak experience,” or Ellis’ “transformative experience.”

Eight Components of FLOW The goals of the activity are clear and not conflicting. One receives immediate and clear feedback during the activity. The challenges of the activity are matched with the skills of the person. A feeling of focus and concentration exists on what is being done. One is oblivious to everyday frustrations. A feeling of control over life, actions, and experiences exists. One loses a sense of self-consciousness. (ego defenses) Sense of time is transformed.

FLOW: AN AUTOTELIC EXPERIENCE The term “autotelic” derives from two Greek words, “auto” meaning self, and “telos” meaning goal. It refers to a self-contained activity, one that is done not with the expectation of some future benefit, but simply because the doing itself is the reward. Doing something for its own sake unrelated to focusing on its consequences. Personal: exercising versus teaching. What are “flow” or ”autotelic” experiences for you?

CSIKSZENTMIHALYI’S TENETS Happiness is a condition that must be prepared for and cultivated by a person. People who learn to control inner experience will be able to determine the quality of their lives, which is about as close as any of us can come to being happy. Optimal experiences are those times when we feel in control of our actions, masters of our own fate … and when we experience a deep sense of exhilaration and deep sense of joy.

CSIKSZENTMIHALYI’S TENETS (continued) The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Optimal experience is something we can make happen. In the long run, optimal experiences are up to a sense of mastery, or sense of participation in the determination of the content of one’s life.

M. Csikszentmihayli The Evolving Self “Complexity is not only a function of intelligence, or knowledge … it includes a person’s feelings and actions as well. It involves becoming aware of and in control of one’s unique potentials, and in being able to create harmony between goals and desires, sensations and experiences. People who continue this (greater degrees of complex thinking and action) are going to have a more fulfilling and therefore happy life.” M. Csikszentmihayli The Evolving Self

Discussion Questions The first paragraph defines “flow.” What are flow experiences for you? The flow diagram on page 74 illustrates that when challenges are encountered which are beyond ones skills, anxiety results; and when ones skills are greater than the challenge encountered, boredom ensues. What esperiences in life create anxiety for you? What bores you? Csikszentmihalyi says that even though Americans had plenty of free or leisure time, and amply access to leisure activities, they do not, as a result, experience flow often. Why? Do you agree with his perspective and the reason he gives for it? Csikszentmihalyi believes that the desire to achieve optimal experience is the foremost goal of every human (page 78). He proceeds to suggest this can be a basis for evaluating social systems. How? How important is change, and the challenge that comes with it important to important to you and to your plan of life? Csikszentmihalyi suggest that exercise self-consciousness/self-centerdness interferes with experiencing flow. Why? What does Csikzentimahalyi mean by the “autotelic” personality? Are you an “autotelic” person? Does Csikzentmihalyi believe that parents can have an effect on their children being/becoming individuals who can experience flow? How? How do you react to Bertrand Russell’s description of how he achieved personal happiness?