Reading Guide: Flow, Chapter Four

THE CONDITIONS OF FLOW

Flow Activities

What is the primary function of a flow activity?

What are the four classes of games delineated by Caillois?

1.

2.

3.

4. 

What is the relationship between skills and challenges that are important to flow? 

Flow and Culture

What does “pursuit of happiness” have to do with cultural relativism?

You might find some concepts in this section particularly valuable in considering your paper topic. 

The Autotelic Personality

Do all people have the the same potential to control consciousness?  What distinguishes those who do it easily form those who don’t?

What is Anomie?

What conditions contribute to Alienation?

What are the results of Dr. Hamilton’s research?

What were the five conditions that provide ideal training for enjoying life?

The People of Flow

What is one important trait of people who have survived under extreme adversity?

What seems to be a precondition of happiness?

 

Find, Xerox and Bring to class an article in a periodical  (not one from the web but a hard copy periodical or magazine) that is related to Flow.  be prepared to share your observations about the author's point of view and C's.  You will be turning this article in with your notes.  Note: we will be using web resources later in the course but for this assignment it is important that you find a relevant reference in a published text.