Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness [Paperback]

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Editor), Isabella Selega Csikszentmihalyi (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0521438098 | ISBN-13: 978-0521438094

What constitutes enjoyment of life? Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness offers a comprehensive survey of theoretical and empirical investigations of the "flow" experience, a desirable or optimal state of consciousness that enhances a person's psychic state. "Flow" can be said to occur when people are able to meet the challenges of their environment with appropriate skills, and accordingly feel a sense of well-being, a sense of mastery, and a heightened sense of self-esteem. The authors show the diverse contexts and circumstances in which flow is reported in different cultures (e.g. Japan, Korea, Australia, Italy), and describe its positive emotional impacts. They reflect on the concept of flow vis-à-vis modern social structures, historical phenomena, and evolutionary biocultural selection. The ways in which the ability to experience flow affects work satisfaction, academic success, and the overall quality of life are suggested; and the childrearing practices that result in the ability to derive enjoyment from life, considered.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an impressive cross-cultural effort....a valuable compilation of major theoretical and empirical developments in one volume....well worth the attention of psychologists who are concerned with intrinsic motivations in work and at play." Contemporary Psychology

"...an interdisciplinary anthology of some of the most stimulating conceptual extensions of the original flow model together with a selection from the research that in the past decade has rounded out our understanding of the conditions that make an enjoyable life possible." Exceptional Human Experience

"The book provides a theoretical model of optimal experience, gives accounts of flow in a variety of human situations. It also shows how certain ways of life promote flow, and describes the methodology and measurement of flow in everyday life." New Scientist

Book Description

What constitutes enjoyment of life? This work offers a comprehensive survey of theoretical and empirical investigations of the "flow" experience, a desirable or optimal state of consciousness that enhances a person's psychic state.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (July 31, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521438098
• ISBN-13: 978-0521438094
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #953,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engagement- the downfall of corporate America- is flow, January 2, 2008

By 

Dr. Pamela Brill "Author of The Winner's Way:... (Linkage, Inc., Burlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness (Paperback)

In this book, readers will find the first well-researched proof that engaging with life is within anyone's control and that it is not more easily attained when the task is easy or leisurely. In cross-cultural studies, Csikszentmihalyi and contributors demonstrate that anyone can access the 'flow' state.

Early in his work and writings, this particular book provides descriptions of the optimal experience state that was named 'flow' in later works. The point, in my mind's eye, is that anyone can get there and that external rewards or the quality of the experience are not the critical factors for whether we engage- nor is some innate talent or socioeconomic level.

Csikszentmihalyi's work was the basis of my own work while teaching at Dartmouth Med School and, then, for the work I have done consulting to peak performers on the competitive fields of sports and business, politics, medicine, and law. It is also the basis for The Winner's Way (McGraw-Hill 2004) The Winner's Way : A proven method for achieving your personal best in any situation in which I outline how peak performers in sport get into the zone and how anyone can use three elements within their control to engage with the power of heart, brain - and energy to get it done and to achieve your goals.

Given that this was the start of work on 'flow'- Gallup and Towers and Perrin call it 'engagement', the book stands on its own as a solid 5-star read.

Looking forward,

Dr. Pam Brill

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars To understand what is the flow state, March 30, 2007

By 

T. L. Huang "Dr." (Taipei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness (Paperback)

I buy this book in order to know knowledge abot the flow state and how to achieve the flow state. Now, I have obtained more related information about the flow from this book. However, I still don't konw how to reach the flow state in my life.