Article Version of Record

A cross-sectional survey study about the most common solitary and social flow activities to extend the concept of optimal experience

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Magyaródi, Tímea
Oláh, Attila

Abstract / Description

Previous assumptions note that the most powerful experiences of engagement are shared with others. Therefore, in the framework of positive psychology, to expand the dynamic interactionism-related flow theory, we have attempted to conduct an exploratory study about flow to reveal the most common activities that can trigger this experience during solitary or social situations. The study involved 1,709 adult participants from Hungary (Age: M = 26.95, SD = 11.23). They read descriptions about optimal experience in solitary and social situations and were asked to identify the activity from their life that is most typically followed by the described experiences. The social context was supplemented by other flow-related questions for a deeper understanding and to contribute to the research. According to the results the most typical solitary flow activities are found to be work, sports, creative activities and reading. The most common flow-inducing social activities are work and sports. The choice of the most frequent flow-inducing activities in both solitary and interpersonal situations is dependent on the gender of the respondent, and various demographical factors can influence the frequency of flow experiences in different contexts. Analysis reveal that optimal experience during a social interaction is determined by the perceived level of challenges, the perceived level of cooperation, the immediateness and clarity of the feedback, and the level of the skill. Our study may contribute to the broadening purpose of positive psychology as it focuses on the interpersonal level in relation to flow experience, which, in turn, may also support a higher level of well-being.

Keyword(s)

solitary social flow interactionism demographic induction activity

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2015-11-27

Journal title

Europe's Journal of Psychology

Volume

11

Issue

4

Page numbers

632–650

Publisher

PsychOpen GOLD

Publication status

publishedVersion

Review status

peerReviewed

Is version of

Citation

Magyaródi, T., & Oláh, A. (2015). A cross-sectional survey study about the most common solitary and social flow activities to extend the concept of optimal experience. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 11(4), 632–650. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v11i4.866
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Magyaródi, Tímea
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Oláh, Attila
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2018-11-21T09:59:31Z
  • Made available on
    2018-11-21T09:59:31Z
  • Date of first publication
    2015-11-27
  • Abstract / Description
    Previous assumptions note that the most powerful experiences of engagement are shared with others. Therefore, in the framework of positive psychology, to expand the dynamic interactionism-related flow theory, we have attempted to conduct an exploratory study about flow to reveal the most common activities that can trigger this experience during solitary or social situations. The study involved 1,709 adult participants from Hungary (Age: M = 26.95, SD = 11.23). They read descriptions about optimal experience in solitary and social situations and were asked to identify the activity from their life that is most typically followed by the described experiences. The social context was supplemented by other flow-related questions for a deeper understanding and to contribute to the research. According to the results the most typical solitary flow activities are found to be work, sports, creative activities and reading. The most common flow-inducing social activities are work and sports. The choice of the most frequent flow-inducing activities in both solitary and interpersonal situations is dependent on the gender of the respondent, and various demographical factors can influence the frequency of flow experiences in different contexts. Analysis reveal that optimal experience during a social interaction is determined by the perceived level of challenges, the perceived level of cooperation, the immediateness and clarity of the feedback, and the level of the skill. Our study may contribute to the broadening purpose of positive psychology as it focuses on the interpersonal level in relation to flow experience, which, in turn, may also support a higher level of well-being.
    en_US
  • Publication status
    publishedVersion
  • Review status
    peerReviewed
  • Citation
    Magyaródi, T., & Oláh, A. (2015). A cross-sectional survey study about the most common solitary and social flow activities to extend the concept of optimal experience. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 11(4), 632–650. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v11i4.866
  • ISSN
    1841-0413
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/974
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.1166
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Publisher
    PsychOpen GOLD
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v11i4.866
  • Keyword(s)
    solitary
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    social
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    flow
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    interactionism
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    demographic
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    induction
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    activity
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    A cross-sectional survey study about the most common solitary and social flow activities to extend the concept of optimal experience
    en_US
  • DRO type
    article
  • Issue
    4
  • Journal title
    Europe's Journal of Psychology
  • Page numbers
    632–650
  • Volume
    11
  • Visible tag(s)
    Version of Record