Gaffen

Hello.

I'm looking for any credible #research on #Flow and #FlowState for an article I'm writing. Specifically anything that looks at the links between flow and #learning, flow and positive #MentalHealth, and improving #focus and #mood. I'm exploring ideas around flow's relationship with the enquiring mind, and general self determination. The argument I'm trying to make is that excessive exposure to experiences that 'fake' flow states (such as gaming or TV) can have an effect on our ability to conduct independent thought and creativity.

I'm not trying to argue that gaming or movies are bad, but that excessive consumption of media can stunt creativity and wellbeing.

Any resources or references highly welcomed!

...I guess Society of the Spectacle is pretty relevant here too, might flip through it again đŸ€”

Nov 8, 2022 at 6:45pmWeb
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022

I'm wondering if you might be able to help me @researchfairy ? 😅

Boosts welcome!

Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022
Thanks for granting my wish, @researchfairy ❀
Show threadUnnamed TNG skant beefcakeNov 9, 2022
@gaffen  ding
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022

For reference, the kernel of the idea came from a combination of inputs, including @blindboyboatclub 's wonderful episode on creativity here:
https://shows.acast.com/blindboy/episodes/talking-to-a-psychologist-about-creativity

In combination with some thoughts around system justification.

Talking to a psychologist about Creativity | The Blindboy Podcast

Prof Anna Abraham is a psychologist and neuroscientist who studies creativity and the human imagination. We chat about everything from creative flow, to the Beatles to Neurodiversity. We sat down as part of Creative Brain Week

Show threadMarc JonesNov 9, 2022
@gaffen just a thought: isn't flow a construct, and therefore reliant on report rather than a direct measure? If so, are games really not flow? Isn't it possible to be in a flow state while engaged in detrimental/maladaptive behaviour? Very interested in what you find out. I'm not a cognitive psychologist, but more an interested bystander.
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022

@marcjones You actually just highlighted something pretty important for me, I just realised - highlighting where the idea came from haha:
https://kolektiva.social/@gaffen/109314041826214079

So, I'm still working through the episode, but you may very well be right. I'm very new to the concept as a whole myself but the discussion in that podcast turned some very visceral cogs for me and made me want to explore the concept in more depth.

Gaffen (@[email protected])

For reference, the kernel of the idea came from a combination of inputs, including @[email protected] 's wonderful episode on creativity here: https://shows.acast.com/blindboy/episodes/talking-to-a-psychologist-about-creativity In combination with some thoughts around system justification.

kolektiva.social
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022
@marcjones I guess to more directly answer you though, depending on the definition I suppose you could definitely look at is as, rather than 'genuine' flow, a case of positive/motivational flow and passive/demotivational flow?
Show threadMarc JonesNov 9, 2022
@gaffen Csikszentmihalyi's book is very readable. I get where he's coming from but I just feel like it could be yet another tool used to bash the neurodivergent (like grit, growth mindset, learned helplessness). Will check out the podcast episode! Thanks!
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022
@marcjones Yeah, that's definitely not the argument I'm trying to make at all. My interest is more around a kind of societally encouraged burnout - the popularity of streaming and its effects on personal motivation. I'm also leaning toward linking it to the phenomenon of system justification (based on this reading https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2017/06/system-justification). Flow is actually a lesser part of the thesis but I wanted to poke around in the idea for relevance/potential offshoots. Essentially that we are overloaded continually and this reduces scope for independent thought and creativity. That mixed with the desire for stability leaves us in a position where people sometimes justify the incumbent system because it's just too exhausting to grapple with something else, even conceptually.
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022
@marcjones Sorry, I'm composing most of this whilst I'm working - so I myself am having trouble coming into that flow state to properly get my thoughts together 😅
Show threadMarc JonesNov 9, 2022
@gaffen oh, welcome to my world!
Show threadMarc JonesNov 9, 2022
@gaffen ooh, yeah, got it. You might want to check out Adam Gazzeley's The Distracted Mind. Very interesting book.
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022
@marcjones Thanks, and bookmarked!
Show threadVellen the FuryNov 9, 2022
@gaffen I might have some pdfs hanging around on this topic, or citations relevantv to this, if you still want some more sources lemme know and I can take some time to dig for them
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022
@PsychologyVellen Considering I'm essentially pulling them out of thin air right now, anything you can pass over would be wonderful!
Show threadVellen the FuryNov 9, 2022
@gaffen If it's okay I will DM you what I can find in a few hours.
Show threadGaffenNov 9, 2022
@PsychologyVellen the offer is very much appreciated, thanks!
Show threadThe Great CommunicatorNov 9, 2022
@gaffen Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a good start. I come from the sport/performance realm so I would start there. And Jackson’s work at https://www.flowcentre.org/flow-literature is another starting point if you haven’t already
Flow Literature

View a list of research, articles, books and important pieces of work on flow. It is one of the most comprehensive collections of literature on flow that exists.

Show threadmathew 🩜☕Nov 9, 2022

@gaffen Relevant podcast episode I just listened to:
https://www.wheelercentre.com/events/johann-hari-why-you-cant-pay-attention/

His book: https://stolenfocusbook.com/

Johann Hari: Why You Can’t Pay Attention

Award-winning writer Johann Hari explores why we have lost our ability to focus and, most importantly, how we can get it back.

The Wheeler Centre
Show threadmathew 🩜☕Nov 9, 2022
@gaffen And a Guardian article:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/02/attention-span-focus-screens-apps-smartphones-social-media
Your attention didn’t collapse. It was stolen

Social media and many other facets of modern life are destroying our ability to concentrate. We need to reclaim our minds while we still can

The Guardian
Show threadNemoudeisNov 9, 2022
@gaffen Hi, a French Game Studies PhD student had made a blog article and a Youtube video on the matter 5 years ago (in French):
https://www.chroniquesvideoludiques.com/le-flow-et-ses-representations-chez-les-joueurs/
The blog article has little scientific merit, but he did cite his sources. You can find his bibliography at the end of the article.
Le flow et ses représentations chez les joueurs

Attention ! Cet article est semi-scientifique ! Pour le citer : Grine, E., 2017. Le flow et ses représentations chez les joueurs. Les Chroniques Vidéoludiques. Le flow et ses représentations chez l


Chroniques Vidéoludiques
Show threadbaccusbeeNov 17, 2022
@gaffen interesting! #following