Research
Flow Research
This study investigated the relationship between perceived organizational support, equity sensitivity, exchange ideology, and positive affect, four constructs that some claim are not independent. The purpose of the study was to determine if equity sensitivity, exchange ideology, and positive affect all predicted POS uniquely and significantly. Through confirmatory factor analyses we found support for a four-factor model, providing evidence that these four constructs are unique. In addition, equity sensitivity was negatively and significantly related to POS independent of exchange ideology and positive affect. Exchange ideology was also negatively and significantly related to POS independent of equity sensitivity and positive affect. Finally, positive affect was positively and significantly related to POS independent of equity sensitivity and exchange ideology.
Throughout my time in graduate school, I have conducted several studies examining Csikszentmihalyi's concept of flow or optimal experience. Below is a brief overview of these studies, arranged in chronological order.
Flow and Goals
Collaborator: Linda Shanock
This study integrated two theories of motivation, goal-setting theory and flow theory, to investigate the relationship between goals and flow. We examined the effects of goal condition on the traditional goal-setting outcome of task performance, as well as two outcomes relevant to flow theory (interest and time estimation). In an experimental setting, participants in the specific difficult goal condition outperformed those in the no goal condition, supporting goal-setting theory. We also found that participants in the specific difficult goal condition were more interested in the task. In addition, participants in the specific difficult goal condition estimated the time to be earlier than it was in reality, whereas participants in the no goal condition estimated the time to be later than it was in reality. This finding provides evidence that participants in the specific difficult goal condition experienced time moving faster, a characteristic of the flow experience (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997). Overall, the study provides evidence that goals not only enhance performance, but may also increase the chances that participants experience flow during a task.
Measuring Flow
Collaborator: Linda Shanock
This lab study examined the measurement of flow by manipulating the challenge of a Sudoku puzzle. Participants in the optimal challenge condition reported higher levels of flow, as measured by indicators of absorption, interest, loss of self-awareness, automaticity, and altered time perception. We also found evidence that some dimensions of flow are more important than others. Specifically, we found evidence for absorption and interest as the most important dimensions of flow, followed by loss of self-awareness, automaticity, and altered time perception. Finally, we found evidence that flow leads to increased performance and satisfaction with the experiment. Thus, increasing flow in the workplace may have positive implications for organizations.
Flow, Goals, and Challenge
Collaborator: Linda Shanock
The present study will build on my previous empirical testing of the theory of flow by examining how two of the three conditions of flow (goals and challenge) relate to each dimension of the flow experience. This study will provide further evidence for the importance of each dimension and may lead to a revision of the theory if some dimensions do not seem relevant. In addition, the present study will expand on two previous studies that manipulated only one of the flow conditions in each study: the skill-challenge balance (Sackett & Shanock, 2007a) or clear goals (Sackett & Shanock, 2007b). The challenge of a task will be manipulated to create a low, moderate, and high challenge level. In addition, goals will be manipulated to form a no goal, a performance goal, and an experiential goal condition. In my previous work, only one of these conditions (either skill-challenge balance or goals) was used in each study, and only one type of goal was used (performance goal). The present study will help determine whether challenge and goals are necessary conditions of flow, and to shed light on what level of challenge and what type of goals are most influential. In addition, the present study will be able to examine the skill-challenge balance and goals independently and concurrently. The third condition, feedback, will be held constant for the present study.
Other Research
I have also had a chance to get involved in some research outside of my primary interest. Below are brief descriptions of some of the other projects I am currently working on.
Time Perception and Subjective Experience
Common wisdom asserts that "time flies when you're having fun." The present research examines the reverse causal hypothesis: that the perceived passage of time influences psychological experience. In two studies, participants were asked to complete a novel but somewhat pedestrian word categorization task for a specified length of time (e.g., 10 minutes). Participants completed the task in the absence of time cues (i.e., wristwatches, cell phones, etc.), and we manipulated whether time seemed to "drag" or "fly" by allowing either more or less time to pass during task completion than was ostensibly the case. Results reveal that, relative to participants in the "time dragged" condition, participants in the "time flew" condition (a) rated the task more positively, (b) reported greater excitement about spending more time on the task in the future, and (c) were subsequently more likely to volunteer to be contacted for future studies involving the task. These results suggest that perceived passage of time may play an important role in people's subjective experiences, with behavioral consequences.
Perceived Organizational Support
Collaborator: Linda Shanock
