![]() ![]() While experience sampling has been around for a long time, it has been innovated over recent years by adding physiological measures, as well as cell phone and computer applications (Magyaródi et al., 2013). On the other hand, it is a time-consuming approach that is limited by the use of selective answers, which can create issues surrounding privacy or illegal behaviors (Magyaródi et al., 2013).Īn example of experience sampling used to measure flow was conducted by Clarke and Haworth (1994), who used diary questions to examine whether optimal experiences occurred in situations where skill was matched by challenge. ![]() Although there is variability in how this method is applied, diary notes are often entered over a week (Jackson et al., 2008).Įxperience sampling has been used quite a bit for the study of flow because it provides valuable information regarding the dynamics of emotions or subjective states (Magyaródi, Nagy, Soltész, Mózes, & Oláh, 2013). Experience SamplingĮxperience sampling is a self-report approach in which participants write diary notes describing their experiences as they happen (Csikszentmihalyi, Larson, & Prescott, 1977). This approach was especially useful for delving deeply into the experience of flow and thus revealing a more vivid account of how it was perceived by participants (Seifert & Hedderson, 2009). Following the natural observation period, a randomly chosen skateboarder was administered a semi-structured, open-ended interview- thus combining observation and interview methodologies. Researchers first invested a great deal of time at a local skateboard park observing skaters and recording notes. For example, in their examination of intrinsic motivation related to flow during skateboarding, Seifert and Hedderson (2009) employed an ethnographical approach. To increase construct validity, interview techniques are also sometimes combined with observation methods. Accordingly, semi-structured interviewing has contributed a great deal to the understanding of flow (Seifert & Hedderson, 2009). This approach, which may be conducted during an actual flow experience, enables rich and detailed exploratory analyses of a concept (Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). Semi-structured interviews, which involve a combination of both predetermined questions, as well as those that evolve out of participants’ responses were often used in earlier research examining flow (Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). ![]() This is because interviewing aids researchers in refining a concept or devising a way to measure it. Interviewing techniques are particularly suited to qualitative investigations of subjective constructs, such as flow. Let’s take a closer look at each of these approaches. Given its subjectivity, the most common way to measure flow is by asking respondents about their experiences, which has been achieved via the following methods: Moreover, because the enjoyable experience of flow represents both the reason for and outcome of engaging in an activity (Seifert & Hedderson, 2009), its measurement represents an additional challenge for researchers. ![]() These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.įlow is a subjective experience, which creates a challenge when it comes to identifying psychometrically sound measurement (Jackson, Martin, & Eklund, 2008). In this article, we will examine science-based methods designed for the measurement of flow.īefore you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. Given that a state of flow is optimal for many aspects of life (i.e., work, creativity, learning, etc.), researchers have a keen interest in identifying how to best measure it. In other words, during a flow state, one is so happily absorbed in what they are doing, that their thoughts and actions flow freely. Someone who’s really caught up in what they are doing might say “I’m in the zone.” Positive psychologists use a similar term for this state: ‘Flow.’įlow refers to the positive experience of complete absorption in an activity that is both spontaneous and effortless (Csikszentmihalyi, 2000 Nakamura & Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). ![]()
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