Flow
The Oxford Handbook of Human Motivation September 12, 2019 Jeanne Nakamura, Dwight C.K. Tse, Shannon Shankland
This chapter reviews research on flow, the psychological state of deep absorption that is intrinsically rewarding. It describes flow's dimensions and conditions, examines its psychological correlates, and distinguishes four related constructs. The chapter also discusses the temporal dynamics of flow and summarizes neurophysiological findings. The authors propose that experiencing flow motivates individuals to pursue activities that foster it, building on Csikszentmihalyi's original concept. The review integrates phenomenological, behavioral, and neural evidence to offer a comprehensive account of flow and its role in intrinsic motivation.