A Systematic Review on Flow States from a Neurocognitive Perspective

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-382-5_81How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Flow State; Optimal Experience; Neuroscience; Mechanisms of Flow; Positive Psychology

Abstract

The term “flow”, also referred to as the optimal experience, describes a state of full engagement and absolute concentration that brings about a sense of effortlessness and pleasure, and, as a result, leads to peak performance. There are eight major components of flow: (i) the balance between the challenges faced and the available skills level; (ii) the ability to concentrate on the present task; (iii) clear goals; (iv) immediate feedback; (v) a sense of deep but effortless involvement; (vi) sense of control; (vii) decreased self-consciousness during flow, which becomes stronger afterward; and (viii) altered perception of time. The present study offers a comprehensive analysis of the flow theory, examining both the theoretical framework and conceptualization of flow, as well as the neurocognitive mechanisms that are involved in flow. In particular, the research focuses on providing a thorough assessment of the neural correlates of flow, systems and networks involved in flow, and the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the induction and maintenance of flow. The present study concluded that in future, more in-depth investigation of flow from a neurocognitive perspective is needed before conclusive explanations for the neural mechanisms underlying flow can be made.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Yihui Zhong
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/03/28
TI  - A Systematic Review on Flow States from a Neurocognitive Perspective
BT  - Proceedings of the 2024 International Conference on Social Sciences and Educational Development (ICOSSED 2024)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 830
EP  - 842
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-382-5_81
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-382-5_81
ID  - Zhong2025
ER  -