Table 2 Common descriptive features of hyperfocus and flow, based on the most commonly reported features of hyperfocus and Nakamura and Csikszentmihalyi’s (2009) criteria for flow
Hyperfocus criteria | Corresponding flow criteria/experiences |
|---|---|
Hyperfocus is characterized by an intense state of concentration/focus | Intense and focused concentration on the present moment |
When engaged in hyperfocus, unrelated external stimuli do not appear to be consciously perceived; sometimes reported as a diminished perception of the environment | Merging of action and awareness |
Loss of reflective self-consciousness (i.e., loss of awareness of oneself as a social actor) | |
Distortion of temporal experience (typically a sense that time has passed faster than normal) | |
To engage in hyperfocus, the task has to be fun or interesting | Experience of the activity as intrinsically rewarding, such that often the end goal is just an excuse for the process |
Perceived challenges, or opportunities for action, that stretch but do not overmatch existing skills | |
During a hyperfocus state, task performance improves | A sense that one can control one’s actions; that is, a sense that one can in principle deal with the situation because one knows how to respond to whatever happens next |