title: In the zone: flow state and cognition in older adults.
abstract: The current study investigated the nature of the flow state among older adults. Flow is a pleasurable experiential state that occurs during full-capacity engagement in which an individual is performing at a level that is matched with the demands of the task. Each participant completed a scale assessing dimensions of flow in a particular activity selected by the participant. More cognitively demanding activities elicited higher levels of flow for those with higher fluid ability, but lower levels of flow for those with lower fluid ability. This pattern was reversed for activities that were low in demand. Our data highlight the potential importance of considering motivational states such as flow in understanding cognitive optimization in adulthood.
authors: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 226 Education Building, 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820-6990, USA. payne12@illinois.edu
authors: Brennan R
authors: BR
authors: Payne
authors: Joshua J
authors: JJ
authors: Jackson
authors: Soo Rim
authors: SR
authors: Noh
authors: Elizabeth A L
authors: EA
authors: Stine-Morrow
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D057181:Pleasure; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013850:Thinking