Keywords

immediate conscious experience, theory of structured experiences, engagement, absorption, immersion

Abstract

The nature, causes, and effects of immediate conscious leisure experiences have long been central interests of scholars. Significant contributions to the field include Abraham Maslow’s studies of ecstasy and peak experience, Sigmund Koch’s descriptions of two forms of consciousness, John Neulinger’s classification of immediate conscious experiences based on their motivational contexts, Michael J. Ellis’ application of arousal theory to play, Howard and Diane Tinsley’s theory of the leisure experience, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s career of inquiry into the “flow” phenomenon, and recently, the theory of structured experience (TSE). This paper reviews research on leisure as immediate conscious experience relating to development of TSE and informs new propositions strengthening the original theory (TSE 2.0) by (a) interpreting TSE in the context of previous research on leisure as immediate conscious experience of leisure, (b) summarizing, integrating, and critiquing research conducted to test propositions of TSE, and (c) proposing revisions to TSE based on completed research.

Original Publication Citation

Ellis, G. E., Jiang, J. Freeman, P. A., Lacanienta, A., & Jamal, T. (2020). Leisure as immediate conscious experience: Foundations, evaluation, and extension of the theory of structured experiences. Journal of Leisure Research, 51(5): 581 – 600. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2020.1754735

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2020

Publisher

Journal of Leisure Research

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Experience Design and Management

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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