Physiological correlates of the flow experience during computer game playing

Harmat, László; Manzano, Örjan de; Theorell, Töres; Högman, Lennart; Fischer, Håkan; Ullén, Fredrik

doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2015.05.001

Cited by 150 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…In this view, feelings about the self disappear from consciousness, and feelings of existence are temporarily suspended, as if identity temporarily evaporates. Such matters can now be explored through brain function studies, and other physiological measurements, such as cardiac and respiratory activities (Harmat et al 2015 ).…”

Section: ); You Feel As If You Don ' T Exist … As If I Have Nothing Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Neurobiological Understanding of Reduced Self-Awareness During Flow: An Occupational Science Perspective

Sadlo

2016

Flow Experience

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Advances in neurobiology, including brain-scanning and physiological measurements, can now be applied to enhance our understanding of reduced self-awareness, one of fl ow's core symptoms. It throws light on optimal experience, since self-forgetting links to fl ow's positive affect, a paradox in such a highly selfaware species. This chapter synthesises empirical studies into self-awareness, and how it is down-regulated during task performance. A breakthrough was the identification of a specifi c neuronal network for self-awareness, discovered during brain mapping of goal-directed tasks. The network becomes active whenever tasks end, rather like a default. Evidence suggests that deep engagement in skilled (fl ow-like) activities dampens the network, relating somewhat to earlier concepts of hypofrontality. An occupational science perspective proposes that participation in complex activities may reduce the weight of our extreme self-awareness. The human propensity to 'occupy' ourselves through a range of activities, such as the arts, can be a major mechanism for stress-reduction. Early twentieth century observations of the restorative function of being occupied transformed into the profession of occupational therapy, arguably originally a kind of 'fl ow therapy'.

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Section: ); You Feel As If You Don ' T Exist … As If I Have Nothing Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Neurobiological Understanding of Reduced Self-Awareness During Flow: An Occupational Science Perspective

Sadlo

2016

Flow Experience

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“…Several researchers, including Keller et al [23], Peifer et al [24] and Harmat et al [25], have undertaken investigations into the physiological aspects of flow and found links between flow and psychophysiological measures including heart rate variability (HRV). Harmat et al [25] studied the psychophysiology of flow during computer game playing and analysed the relationship between HRV (amongst other measures) and self reported states of flow, attention, valence and arousal.…”

Section: Hrv Attention Stress and Flowmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Harmat et al [25] studied the psychophysiology of flow during computer game playing and analysed the relationship between HRV (amongst other measures) and self reported states of flow, attention, valence and arousal. Their results showed a correlation between high levels of flow, attention and positive affect, Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page.…”

Section: Hrv Attention Stress and Flowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Real-time Biofeedback of Heart Rate Variability Measures to Track and Help Improve Levels of Attention and Relaxation

Loudon

Zampelis²,

Deininger³

2017

Proceedings of the 2017 ACM SIGCHI Conference on Creativity and Cognition

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The main purpose of the study was to investigate if it was possible for a person to use the real-time biofeedback of their heart rate variability (HRV), recorded from a heart rate monitor watch, to help improve their level of attention and relaxation. Attention and relaxation are important factors affecting creativity, so improvements in 'relaxed concentration' could help enhance creativity. New HRV analysis algorithms were developed and tested together with three different user interfaces to explore how the interaction design affects user performance. Initial results suggest that it is possible to estimate levels of attention and relaxation, at least at a crude level, and that people are able to use this information to help improve their level of attention and relaxation. In addition, the results suggest that the interaction design of the application has a very important role to play in supporting user engagement and to maintain motivation levels.

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“…Preejection period was highest in a condition of high task diffi culty compared to two easier conditions and, importantly, compared to an impossible task condition. Preejection period is mainly infl uenced by betaadrenergic activity (e.g., Schächinger et al 2001 ), and is a very good indicator of Bernardi et al 2000 ;Blitz et al 1970 ;Hjortskov et al 2004 ) Inverted-u shaped relationship (Peifer et al 2014 ; during stressful activities: Tozman et al 2015 ); negative linear relation (Harmat et al 2015 ;Tozman et al 2015 ) High-frequency heart rate variability Spectral component of HRV 0 · 15-0 · 4 Hz Decrease (e.g., Bernardi et al 2000 ;Blitz et al 1970 ;Hjortskov et al 2004 ) Inconsistent fi ndings negative linear relation (de Manzano et al 2010 ); positive linear relation during stress (Peifer et al 2014 ); curvilinear relation during stress (Tozman et al 2015 ) RMSSD HRV parameter, highly related to high-frequency HRV Decrease (Keller et al 2011a ) (continued) 20 Experimental Paradigms to Investigate Flow-Experience… sympathetic activation. These results give, thus, further support to Wright's ( 1996 ) assumptions regarding the role of sympathetic activation during mental effort.…”

Section: The Physiology Of Mental Effortmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Paradigms to Investigate Flow-Experience and Its Psychophysiology: Inspired from Stress Theory and Research

Tozman

Peifer

2016

Flow Experience

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In this chapter, we present new psychological and physiological research paradigms to assess and investigate fl ow-experience. We compare fl ow 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 fl owexperience but have not yet been considered by fl ow-research yet. Also, we describe research paradigms from the research-traditions of challenge and threat and mental effort and discuss applications for fl ow-research. Within this chapter, we aim at stimulating experimental research on fl ow-experience for a better understanding of its psychological and physiological mechanisms.

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Physiological correlates of the flow experience during computer game playing

Cited by 150 publications

References 32 publications

Towards a Neurobiological Understanding of Reduced Self-Awareness During Flow: An Occupational Science Perspective

Towards a Neurobiological Understanding of Reduced Self-Awareness During Flow: An Occupational Science Perspective

Using Real-time Biofeedback of Heart Rate Variability Measures to Track and Help Improve Levels of Attention and Relaxation

Experimental Paradigms to Investigate Flow-Experience and Its Psychophysiology: Inspired from Stress Theory and Research

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