creativity flow and the psychology of discovery and invention

The over-riding motivation to invent is not selfish, it’s motivated for the good of others. I can’t discuss inventors without talking about engagement.

I highly recommend this book to those intrigued by human processes and who find themselves engaged in creative pastimes that lead to innovative developments. Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention helps us to understand those moments that are beyond description, the ones where time stands still. Through the lens of his 30 years of studies, Csikszentmihalyi discusses ideas like why creative individuals are often seen as selfish and arrogant, why the “tortured genius” is largely a myth, and why creativity is necessary for the future of our communities and world. Similar to how this book draws on almost 100 interviews with biologists, physicists, politicians, poets, artists, and more, his research into flow theory analyzed writers, athletes, chess masters, surgeons, and any individuals who were involved in activities they preferred. He discovered that enjoyment did not result from relaxing or living stress-free but during intense activities where a person’s attention is fully absorbed – called a flow state. I recently read the book “ Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention” by iconic psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi which gave incredible insight into the moments that people feel make life worth living and what leads them to get there.Ĭsikszentmihalyi is the leading researcher into flow states and flow theory, which he introduced in the 1970s based on research examining people who did activities for pleasure even with no recognition. As a woman of science, I am forever fascinated by the different developments and understandings we have come to recognize as truths about human nature and behavior.

“The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times. This books takes us into the process and an understanding of what leads to these moments. It’s an altruistic objection to the status quo without the expectation of financial reward driven by the unshakable belief that they’re doing the right thing and supported by confidence in their own technical skill and comprehension of the performance of the materials they are using in the guidance systems that direct them. Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention helps us to understand those moments that are beyond description, the ones where time stands still. Legendary psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has been called “The leading researcher into ‘flow states.’” He accumulated over 30 years of research and did more than 100 interviews with people from all walks of life to bring his famous flow theory and exploration of the creative process to all of us.

Creativity flow and the psychology of discovery and invention