Aesthetic Forms in Flow Experiences

• In Event: Roundtable Session 81
  In Roundtable Session: Examining Flow, Aesthetics, and Impact of Performative Research

Abstract

Our goal is to better understand how students can derive deep enjoyment from school subject matter. We use flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975) and Eisner’s (1985) construct of aesthetic forms to create a framework for thinking about what exactly individuals focus on during flow experiences. In our research, we go beyond the domain of education to observe and interview a wide range of accomplished performers: jazz musicians (e.g., Wynton Marsalis), an award-winning architect, an improvisational theater director, the former head of graphic illustration at Newsweek, a broadcast news anchorwoman, and an award-winning documentary filmmaker. With this varied sample, our intent is to get a better sense of the range of how aesthetic forms shape flow experiences.

Author

• E. David Wong, Michigan State University