Phenomenological differences between individual flow and group flow

Pia Zajonz, Ann-Christin Engler, Fabian Hofmann, Simon Gundermann, Michael Douglas Bynoe, Fabian Pels*

*Corresponding author for this work

Publication: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution - Published abstract for conference with selection processResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Research suggests that the experience of individual flow (IF; as conceptualised by Csikszentmihalyi, 1990) might differ from the experience of group flow (GF; Hart & Di Blasi, 2013). Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare components of the GF experience and components of the IF experience in sport. Qualitative interviews were conducted with five experienced basketball players (Mage = 22 years, SD = 3.29). Based on a definition of IF and GF, participants were asked to remember own IF and GF situations. Subsequently, participants’ experiences of these situations were explored based on a semi-structured, open-ended interview guide which comprised the nine typical components of IF (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990) and four known GF components (Hart & Di Blasi, 2015). Data were analysed using content analysis. For IF situations, results show that all nine components of IF were found in the sample. “Action-awareness merging” and “transformation of time” are the most prominent characteristics. During IF, only few GF characteristics are present. For GF situations, results show that all four components of GF could be found, with “interactional synchrony” being the most prominent one. While describing the GF phenomenon, each participant mentioned several IF characteristics. In addition, there seem to be new elements playing a role in experiencing flow, e.g. self-confidence. In conclusion, the findings have implications for future research to better define the phenomenon of group flow and further investigate its experience in the sport context.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAbstract Book : 50 years of FEPSAC. 15th European congress of sport & exercise psychology, Münster, Germany, 15-20 July 2019
EditorsBernd Strauss, Barbara Halberschmidt, Till Utesch, Dennis Dreiskämper, Sebastian Brückner, Maike Tietjens, Vera Storm, Linda Schücker, Friederike Rosenfeld, Charlotte Raue, Stijn Mentzel, Meike Kolb, Lena Henning, Lena Busch
Number of pages1
Place of PublicationMünster
PublisherDepartment of Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Muenster
Publication date07.2019
Pages226
Article number3.38
Publication statusPublished - 07.2019
EventFEPSAC 2019 - 15th European congress of sport & exercise psychology: Building the future of sport & exercise psychology - Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
Duration: 15.07.201920.07.2019
Conference number: 15
https://www.fepsac2019.eu/

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  • Group Flow

    Pels, F. & Kleinert, J.

    01.01.17 → …

    Project: Funded by internal resources

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