Flow theory and cognitive evaluation theory: Two sides of the same coin?

Flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, Beyond boredom and anxiety: Experiencing flow in work and play. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 1975) and cognitive evaluation theory (Deci and Ryan, Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behaviour. Plenum, New York, 1985) have each inspired a large body of research dedicated to understanding why we enjoy doing what we enjoy doing. Although both theories ostensibly address the same category of behavior-namely, intrinsically motivated behavior-there have been few serious efforts to reconcile these two theories. This is the purpose of the current chapter. After a review and assessment of relevant empirical findings, I suggest that the two theories are most applicable to different types of behavior, distinguished by their state-level motivational orientations. Furthermore, whereas CET appears to be more applicable to understanding the process of developing intrinsic motivation, flow theory appears the more useful framework for understanding variations in enjoyment once intrinsic motivation for an activity has been firmly established.