Neurocognitive Mechanisms of the Flow State
David Harris, Samuel James Vine, Mark Wilson preprint
Flow, often described as focused concentration or task absorption, is best explained through attentional mechanisms, which can resolve puzzles like how a difficult task feels effortless. Brain-imaging research reveals that flow involves higher-order attentional networks and reduced activity in brain regions linked to self-referential processing. However, tensions exist, including a dissociation between physiological and experiential measures and equivocal neuroimaging findings regarding hypofrontality. While neuroscientific investigation of flow is preliminary, these insights have implications for understanding and enhancing sporting performance.