Flow state in psychology and neuroscience: current research and issues
Riccardo Volpato, Yingchen Liu preprint
Since the 1970s, flow state has been extensively studied, but inconsistencies in its definition and measurement hinder a unified understanding. Disagreements exist over whether flow is discrete or continuous, and whether it should be measured through its characteristics and conditions or as a separate concept. Various neurocognitive theories propose mechanisms like reduced frontal activity, synchronization of attention and reward, or sequential cognitive reorganization. Empirical evidence indicates that flow involves increased activity in reward and attentional systems, along with decreased self-monitoring. However, conceptual issues prevent clear connections between empirical findings and specific theories.