Flow and Clutch Performance

Question 1

state what it is meant by the key term - Flow

Answer 1

an intrinsically rewarding psychological state in which people feel in control of their actions, have a deep sense of exhilaration and enjoyment, and are so intensely involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter

Question 2

state what it is meant by the key term - Clutch

Answer 2

the phenomenon of athletes under pressure, usually in the final moments of an event, summon the strength, concentration, and whatever else is necessary to succeed, perform well, or perhaps change the result of the event

Question 3

what is ‘flow’ often referred to as being ?

Answer 3

the ‘optimum zone of functionning’

Question 4

state the 4 benefits of ‘Flow’ in sport

Answer 4

1. peak performance
2. future motivation
3. self-concept
4. psychological well-being

Question 5

state 2 benefits of ‘Flow’ in exercise

Answer 5

1. exercise adherence

2. positive post-exercise feelings

Question 6

state 2 facts about ‘Flow’ being ‘an exclusive experience’

Answer 6

1. flow is regarded as rare, exclusive, mysterious, and unpredictable
2. the majority (60-70%) of athletes studied have proposed flow to be controllable, at least to some degree

Question 7

what is the framework used, and who brought it into play, for conceptualising flow ?

Answer 7

1. the ‘nine dimensions framework’

2. Csikszentmihulyi, 2002

Question 8

what are the two sub-titles in the ‘nine dimensions framework’ for conceptualising ‘flow’

Answer 8

1. Proximal conditions of flow (must be in place for flow to occur)
2. Characteristics of flow (‘the experience’)

Question 9

state the 3 ‘Proximal conditions of flow’

Answer 9

1. challenge-skill balance
2. clear goals
3. unambiguous feedback

Question 10

state the 6 ‘characteristics of flow’

Answer 10

1. action-awareness merging
2. concentration on the task at hand
3. sense of control
4. loss of self-consciousness
5. transformation of time
6. autotelic response

Question 11

explain ‘challenge-skill basis’

Answer 11

the ‘golden rule’ of flow

Question 12

explain ‘clear goals’

Answer 12

knowing and understanding the goals of the activity

Question 13

explain ‘unambiguous feedback’

Answer 13

feedback to the individual (from themselves) about how the performance is progressing

Question 14

explain ‘action-awareness merging’

Answer 14

the person becomes ‘at one’ with the activity and it feels automatic

Question 15

explain ‘concentration on the task at hand’

Answer 15

attention is fully invested and the person is completely focused, but appears to take less effort compared to normal

Question 16

explain ‘sense of control’

Answer 16

athlete feels in control of their actions and of their performance

Question 17

explain ‘loss of self-consciousness’

Answer 17

no concern over how they are being perceived by others

Question 18

explain ‘transformation of time’

Answer 18

time either slows down or speeds up, depending on the activity

Question 19

explain ‘autotelic experiences’ (3 points)

Answer 19

1. auto = self, telos = goals
2. the intrinsically rewarding aspect of flow
3. during AND after

Question 20

state 2/5 conceptual issues with the ‘nine dimensions framework’

Answer 20

1. imprecise definitions of flow dimensions
2. overlapping constructs
3. missing concepts (bodily sensations, optimal arousal)
4. low support for some dimensions
5. uncertainty regarding the number of dimensions to constitute a flow experience

Question 21

what are the 2 most common methods of measuring ‘flow’ in S+E ?

Answer 21

1. interviews

2. questionnaires

Question 22

state 2 other methods of measuring ‘flow’ in S+E

Answer 22

1. experience sampling methods

2. physiological measurements

Question 23

state the names of the 3 methodological issues with measuring ‘flow’

Answer 23

1. deductive coding
2. career-based interviews
3. quantitative measures

Question 24

explain how ‘deductive coding’ provides a methodological issue with measuring ‘flow’ (2 points)

Answer 24

1. most research is categorised codes into the 9 dimensions framework
2. several qualitative studies have reported characteristics of flow that do not fit into the model

Question 25

explain how 'career-based interviews' provides a methodological issue with measuring 'flow' (4 points)

Answer 25

1. used widely across sport 2. potential for biased recall (limitation) 3. difficult to understand the mechanisms underlying flow (limitation) 4. potential merging of multiple states into the same experience (limitation)

Question 26

explain how 'quantitative measures' provide a methodological issue with measuring 'flow' (2 points)

Answer 26

1. the flow scales (based on model) are most common measure of flow in S+E settings 2. concerns about validity of the measures as is an individual opinion

Question 27

state 3 'psychological states' of being in 'flow'

Answer 27

1. effortless attention 2. positive feedback about progress 3. absence of critical thoughts 4. optimal arousal 5. automatic/effortless experience

Question 28

state 3 'physiological states' about being in both 'flow' and 'clutch'

Answer 28

1. enjoyment 2. increased motivation 3. increased perceived control 4. altered perceptions 5. absorption 6. confidence

Question 29

state 3 'physiological states' about being in 'clutch'

Answer 29

1. complete and deliberative focus 2. heightened awareness 3. intense effort 4. absence of negative thoughts 5. heightened arousal 6. automaticity of the skill

Question 30

state 3 outcomes of being in 'flow'

Answer 30

1. energising effect 2. intrinsic rewards 3. confidence 4. sense of achievement 5. intrinsic motivation

Question 31

state 3 outcomes of 'clutch performance'

Answer 31

1. exhaustion 2. pride 3. satisfaction 4. sense of achievement

Question 32

state what it is meant by the key term - 'telic flow'

Answer 32

occurs in challenging activities with clear outcome goals and is characterised by an achievement focus, intensity, immersion into the task, seriousness, trying to do what is planned, and having higher performance expectations

Question 33

what is satisfaction derived from in 'telic flow'

Answer 33

satisfaction is derived from the resist if successfully completing the task

Question 34

state what it is meant by the key term - 'paratelic flow'

Answer 34

undertaken without a clear outcome goal and a lack of importance attributed to performance outcomes and future concerns

Question 35

state 2 additional facts about 'paratelic flow'

Answer 35

1. sensation orientated and a sense of immersion into the task 2. less intense than 'telic flow' and satisfaction is derived from enjoyment and not successful completion of the task

Question 36

state what it is meant by the key term - episodic memory

Answer 36

involves the retrieval of particular autobiographical moments in one's life

Question 37

state what it is meant by the key term - repisodic memory

Answer 37

is a sequence of related events that a single recollection merely represents. one is not remembering the gist of a particular episode, but the characteristics of a whole series of events

Question 38

state what it is meant by the key term - peak performance

Answer 38

a state of accomplishment that comes as a consequence of sustained effort and concentration where athletes are able to perform at their optimal level and produce outstanding performance outcomes