Creativity and Flow: Not a Simple Relationship

Abstract

In this study, flow, both dispositional and state, and movement-based creative processing were investigated in a group of pre-professional and professional dancers (N = 288) who were involved in the creation, rehearsal, and performance of a new dance work(s). Dance is both movement-based and group-based. The Experience of Creativity Questionnaire and Dispositional Flow Scale were administered 2 weeks prior to the performance of the new choreography. The state flow data were collected immediately after the completion of the final dress rehearsal and immediately following the opening night performance. The results of this quasi-experimental study demonstrated that the association with creative processes and dispositional flow dimensions yielded weak significance. Many creative processing dimensions predicted state dress and performance flow conditions, although the predominant predictors were Clarity and Preparation, Creative Anxiety (negative predictor), and Beyond the Personal. The uniqueness of this study was that it focused on movement-based creative processing and its relation with dispositional and state flow.