On the Relationship Between Flow and Enjoyment

Ever since Csikszentmihalyi’s earliest work on flow, he has conceived of flow as a form of enjoyment. Nevertheless, alternative views have arisen, most influentially Martin Seligman’s view of flow as devoid of emotions. In the first part of this chapter, these two contrasting views are clarified and then evaluated. While Csikszentmihalyi’s view, with some adjustment, may be reconciled with current scientific understanding of emotions, Seligman’s is based on a premise which conflicts with appraisal theorists view that the elicitation of emotions is often automatic (especially within the context of well-rehearsed activities) and need not consume significant attentional resources. The common misconception of flow as devoid of emotions is then traced to three sources: (1) a failure to differentiate between experiencing an emotion and the awareness of experiencing it, (2) incorrectly assuming that the enjoyment experienced during flow is of the “happy-smiley” type, and (3) Csikszentmihalyi’s unconventional usage of the term “pleasure” in his writings. Potential explanations for the enjoyable, intrinsically-motivating nature of flow are then suggested.