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Flow in the Context of Daily Experience Fluctuation

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Flow Experience

Abstract

Flow is just one of the various experiences that occur in daily life. Research has shown that different experiential profiles can be identified based on the subjective perception of environmental opportunities for action (challenges) and of the personal capabilities possessed to cope with them (skills). The different patterns of relationship between these two variables were operationalized through the Experience Fluctuation Model, leading to the identification of eight different experiences: arousal, flow, control, relaxation, boredom, apathy, worry, and anxiety. Besides allowing researchers to identify qualitative fluctuations of daily experience, the model provides information on how each specific experience can change quantitatively, as levels of challenges and skills increase or decrease. In this chapter, we will first present the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), a procedure that allows the gathering of real-time repeated samplings of individuals’ experience as daily situations and events unfold. Starting from ESM assessments, we will then illustrate the Experience Fluctuation Model, and we will provide empirical support to the eight experiential profiles identified by the model. We will finally present findings from groups of participants differing in age and culture, highlighting the potential of flow to promote growth in complexity and well-being.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Marta Bassi

  2. Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milano, Italy

    Antonella Delle Fave

Authors
  1. Marta Bassi
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  2. Antonella Delle Fave
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Correspondence to Marta Bassi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    László Harmat

  2. Department of Education, University of Aarhus, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Frans Ørsted Andersen

  3. Department of Education, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark

    Fredrik Ullén

  4. School of Health Professionals, University of Brighton, Eastbourne, East Sussex, United Kingdom

    Jon Wright

  5. School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton, East Bourne, East Sussex, United Kingdom

    Gaynor Sadlo

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Bassi, M., Delle Fave, A. (2016). Flow in the Context of Daily Experience Fluctuation. In: Harmat, L., Ørsted Andersen, F., Ullén, F., Wright, J., Sadlo, G. (eds) Flow Experience. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28634-1_12

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