AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF Janet Andrea Blood for the degree of Doctor of ...

204 Pages·2006·1.15 MB·English

AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF

Janet Andrea Blood for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Design and Human
Environment presented on June 16, 2006.

Title: Non-Industrial Textile Production as Optimal Experience: Applicability of the
Flow Theory to Clothing and Textiles Subject Matter.

Abstract approved:

_____________________________________________________________________
Elaine L. Pedersen

The purpose of this research study was to test a psychological theory of
motivation called the Flow Theory by Csikszentmihalyi as it relates to non-industrial
textile production activities. In using the Flow Theory, researchers attempt to explain
why individuals continue participation with a specific activity; namely that the activity
induces a highly focused state (called the flow state) characterized by an individual
sense of control, heightened challenges, the presence of creativity, a lack of interest in
the product after completion, and a perceived distortion of time among others which in
turn provides enjoyment for the individual. Both quantitative and qualitative data were
collected to test four hypotheses and the proposition of Repeated episodes of flow
leads to mastery as well as to satisfy three objectives. One hundred and fifty
individuals participated in a mailed survey selected via snowball sampling. Sixteen
participants were then selected from the original 150 to participate in a telephone
interview.
Hypotheses were tested using the Pearson Correlation and Chi-Square tests.
Scatter plot diagrams were also used to determine variability of data from the ideal.
Qualitative data from the surveys and interviews were coded and analyzed for themes.
They were also used to further test the hypotheses, satisfy objectives, and test the
proposition.
It was concluded that Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory is very applicable to
clothing and textiles subject matter in that participants experienced greater
occurrences of the flow state as they continued with activity participation. However,
unlike Csikszentmihalyi’s assertion that individuals would be motivated to start an
activity for extrinsic reasons, many of this study’s participants began to participate in
their non-industrial textile production activity for intrinsic reasons as well.
Csikszentmihalyi also posited that an individual would lose interest in extrinsic
rewards as they progressed in skill. However, it was found that both extrinsic and
intrinsic motivating factors were present at all skill levels. Nevertheless, because of its
applicability, the Flow Theory can now be used to derive a new theory specific to the
clothing and textiles field besides being used to explain other clothing and textiles
phenomena.
©Copyright by Janet Andrea Blood
June 16, 2006
All Rights Reserved
Non-Industrial Textile Production as
Optimal Experience: Applicability of the Flow Theory
to Clothing and Textiles Subject Matter

by
Janet Andrea Blood

A DISSERTATION

submitted to

Oregon State University

in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the
degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Presented June 16, 2006
Commencement June 2007
Doctor of Philosophy dissertation of Janet Andrea Blood presented on June 16, 2006.

APPROVED:

____________________________________________________________________
Major Professor, representing Design and Human Environment

____________________________________________________________________
Chair of the Department of Design and Human Environment

_____________________________________________________________________
Dean of the Graduate School

I understand that my dissertation will become part of the permanent collection of
Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my
dissertation to any reader upon request.

_____________________________________________________________________
Janet Andrea Blood, Author
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express sincere appreciation to my major professor, Elaine L. Pedersen,
as well as the members of my doctoral committee for their patience and steadfastness
during this long journey. Thank you to my family and friends for their words of
encouragement and acts of support. Also, it is important for me to acknowledge the
generous participation and enthusiasm of the participants featured in this study. Their
excitement and love for their activities is inspiring, and they made data collection for
this study a joy. Most importantly, this study is dedicated to my husband Jason who
deserves the biggest thank you of all. Without his daily patience, encouragement,
support, perspective, and humor, my life would be very unfulfilling.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

CHAPTER 1—INTRODUCTION …………………………. 1

Evolution of the Idea ………………………..………. 4

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs ………………………. 6

The Idea of Optimal Experience …………………….. 8

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Flow Theory ………… 10

Purpose of the Study ………………………………… 27

Research Question …………………………………… 28

Objectives ……………………………………………. 28

Hypotheses …………………………………………… 29

Limitations and Assumptions ………………………… 29

CHAPTER 2—REVIEW OF LITERATURE ……………….. 30

Humanism and Guiding Assumptions ……………….. 30

Intrinsic Motivation …………………………………… 33

The Current State of Fashion Theory …………………. 40

Clothing, Textiles, and Enjoyment ……………………. 42

Non-Industrial Textile Production Research ………….. 50

Summary of Review of Literature …………………….. 55

CHAPTER 3—RESEARCH METHODS …………………..... 57

Research Question ……………………………………. 57

Hypotheses ……………………………………………. 57

Procedure ………………………………………………. 58
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Page

Sampling and Participants ……………………………… 65

Data Analysis …………………………………………… 68

CHAPTER 4—RESULTS ……………………………………… 72

Results of Hypothesis Testing ………………………….. 72

Satisfaction of Study Objectives and Proposition Testing. 92

Other Qualitative Themes Specific to the Participation in
Non-Industrial Textile Production Activities …… 104

Summary ………………………………………………… 109

CHAPTER 5—SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ………….. 112

Summary ………………………………………………… 112

Limitations ………………………………………………. 115

Conclusions ……………………………………………… 117

Implications ……………………………………………… 128

Recommendations for Further Research ………………… 131

Bibliography …………………………………………………….. 133

APPENDICES …………………………………………………… 144

Appendix A Definition of Terms ……………………….. 145
Appendix B Informed Consent Documents and Interview
and Referral Form ……………………………….. 149
Appendix C 2004 Non-Industrial Textile Production
Activity Motivation Questionnaire ………………. 158
Appendix D Participant Responses to Questions Four and
Five of the 2004 Non-Industrial Textile Production
Activity Motivation Questionnaire ………………. 162
Appendix E Qualitative Coding, Theme Assignment,
and Theme Generation …………………………… 166
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1. Model of the flow state. …..……………………………... 18

2. Flow Theory diagrammed. ….…………………………… 23

3. Scatter plot diagram illustrating the relationship between
the variables of motivation and skill level. ……… 82

4. Scatter plot diagram illustrating the relationship between
the variables of flow state and skill level. ……….. 85

5. Scatter plot diagram illustrating the relationship between
the variables of flow state and motivation. ……… 96

6. Adapted model of the flow state. ………………………… 98

7. Model of the flow state as it relates to non-industrial textile
production activities. ……………………………… 102

8. Flow Theory diagrammed (Repeated from Chapter 1). …... 119

9. Non-industrial textile production activity Flow Theory
diagram. …………………………………………… 120

10. Strategies for maintaining flow by participants of
non-industrial textile production activities. ……….. 125
LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1. Basic Assumptions of Happiness and Pleasure According
to Csikszentmihalyi (1990) ……………………….. 14

2. Elements and Conditions of Enjoyment According to
Csikszentmihalyi (1990) ………………………….. 17

3. Indications of an Occurrence of the Flow State According
to Csikszentmihalyi (1990) ……………………….. 21

4. Non-Industrial Textile Production Activities Considered
for the Study ………………………………………. 59

5. Interview Questions (Adapted from Csikszentmihalyi,
Rathunde, & Whalen, 1993) .……………………… 64

6. Pearson Correlation Test—Motivation and Skill Level …... 73

7. Pearson Chi-Square Test—Motivation Category and
Skill Level Category Cross-Tabulation …………… 74

8. Pearson Chi-Square Test—Motivation Category and Skill
Level Category …………………………………….. 75

9. Initial Motivators for Involvement ………………………… 76

10. Themes from the Other (please describe) Responses from
Survey Question Three: What first interested you in
this activity? .............................................................. 77

11. Examples of the Importance of End Products in
Non-Industrial Textile Production Activity
Participation According to Participants of the
Expert Interviews …………………………….…….. 79

12. Pearson Correlation Test—Flow State and Skill Level ……. 83

13. Pearson Chi-Square Test—Flow State Category and Skill
Level Category Cross-Tabulation …………………. 87