Flow Neurophysiology in Knowledge Work: Electroencephalographic Observations from Two Cognitive Tasks

Michael T. Knierim, Mario Nadj, Anuja Hariharan, Christof Weinhardt

2018

Abstract

In an effort to study flow experiences in the context of less structured knowledge work (KW), we explored a paradigm we call controlled experience sampling (cESM). Participants worked on a naturalistic, cognitive task (a personal scientific thesis), and a difficulty-manipulated math task. Results show that the cESM approach elicits a consistent flow experience with intensities as least as high as in the math task flow condition. An interesting finding is that given similar flow intensities, different perceptions of stress arise between the two paradigms. EEG results from both tasks suggest increased frontal upper alpha band (10-12Hz) activity with increased task attention, that has higher temporal stability in flow than in a boredom condition, and that is laterally indifferent. Integrating with the presently available literature, the results further consolidate an understanding of flow as a state of fronto-lateral activation.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Knierim M., Nadj M., Hariharan A. and Weinhardt C. (2018). Flow Neurophysiology in Knowledge Work: Electroencephalographic Observations from Two Cognitive Tasks.In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Physiological Computing Systems - Volume 1: PhyCS, ISBN 978-989-758-329-2, pages 42-53. DOI: 10.5220/0006926700420053

in Bibtex Style

@conference{phycs18,
author={Michael T. Knierim and Mario Nadj and Anuja Hariharan and Christof Weinhardt},
title={Flow Neurophysiology in Knowledge Work: Electroencephalographic Observations from Two Cognitive Tasks},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Physiological Computing Systems - Volume 1: PhyCS,},
year={2018},
pages={42-53},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0006926700420053},
isbn={978-989-758-329-2},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Physiological Computing Systems - Volume 1: PhyCS,
TI - Flow Neurophysiology in Knowledge Work: Electroencephalographic Observations from Two Cognitive Tasks
SN - 978-989-758-329-2
AU - Knierim M.
AU - Nadj M.
AU - Hariharan A.
AU - Weinhardt C.
PY - 2018
SP - 42
EP - 53
DO - 10.5220/0006926700420053