Experimental paradigms to investigate flow-experience and its psychophysiology: Inspired from stress theory and research

Abstract

In this chapter, we present new psychological and physiological research paradigms to assess and investigate flow-experience. We compare flow theory and research with concepts of challenge and threat, as well as with mental effort. By taking a closer look at physiological processes during challenge and threat and during mental effort, we outline physiological measures that might relate to flowexperience but have not yet been considered by flow-research yet. Also, we describe research paradigms from the research-traditions of challenge and threat and mental effort and discuss applications for flow-research. Within this chapter, we aim at stimulating experimental research on flow-experience for a better understanding of its psychological and physiological mechanisms.