psychology

L03 Ge�ng into the Flow What happens to allow us to enter a flow state, and bring order to the chaos of our

normal mental functioning? As it turns out, to enter into a flow state, we actually have to

temporarily shut down a part of our brain. Specifically, we have to turn down the

prefrontal cortex, the portion of our brain that is responsible for conscious thought and

other higher cognitive functions.

This phenomenon is known as transient hypofrontality. Transient, because it is short-

term/temporary, and hypo, which means below normal. Transient hypofrontality means

the temporary suppression of the prefrontal cortex, and all the cognitive functions for

which it is responsible.

This transient hypofrontal state, and the resultant flow state, occurs during specific

circumstance. When skill in an activity is relatively high and the degree of challenge

present in an activity is relatively high, it is likely for an individual to enter into a flow

state.

If skill is too low for a challenging activity, one is likely to feel anxious about the

perceived inability to perform. If skill is too high for an activity, one is likely to feel relaxed

or bored. Flow is the product of challenging activities combined with a high level of skill

on the part of the participant.

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Alternative Text: Model of Flow State (https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2069156

/pages/Alternative%20Text%3A%20Model%20of%20Flow%20State?titleize=0)

Preffontal Cortex during normal state.

Brain in the Beta (Normal State)

The Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex is

very important while in normal state

It is the part of the brain that allows us

to analyze and question our own

behavior which can be highly useful.

You need that part of the brain to avoid

walking out into traffic or avoid making

very bad long-term decisions

But it's a hindrance to rehearsed

performance or quick reactions.

You question yourself, you overthink

what you're doing, and in the moment

you lose the 'pure' sense of flow.

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex during flow state.

Brain in TH (Flow State)

The term 'transient hypofrontality' can

be used to describe what's going on in

the brain during flow state. It means

'temporary' (transient) 'under-activity'

(hypo) of the frontal cortex (frontality).

The Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex is

the part of the brain that needs to be

shut off during sports performance

allowing all our attention to go to the

part we want to use without

censorship or micromanagement.

This will result to quick reactions and

uninterrupted productivity.

Change of brain waves will occur. The

brain moves from regular 'beta' waves

to 'alpha-theta' waves.

The Alpha-Theta zone is recognized

as the brain zone where Gamma

waves can occur. Gamma waves bind

together ideas from distant ranging

areas of our brain, connecting

memories, experience and new stimuli

into creative action.

L03 Getting into the Flow: RPTM 120, Section 0... https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2069156/p...

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