The Relationship Between Personality Traits, Flow-Experience, and Different Aspects of Practice Behavior of Amateur Vocal Students

Abstract

Most of the existing studies on musical practice are concerned with instrumentalists only. Since singers are seldom considered in research, the present study is based on an online-sample of amateur vocal students (N = 120; 92 female, 28 male). The study investigated the correlations between personality traits, flow-experience and several aspects of practice characteristics. Personality was represented by the three personality dimensions extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism, assessed by Eysenck’s Personality Profiler as well as the trait form of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. ‘Flow-experience,’ ‘self-congruence’ and ‘fear of losing control over concentration,’ assessed by the Practice Flow Inventory, served as variables for flow-experience. The practice motivation was measured by the Practice Motivation Questionnaire in four categories (‘self,’ ‘group,’ ‘audience,’ ‘teacher’). In addition, the Practice Behavior Questionnaire was used to provide an insight into the practice situation and behavior of singing students. The results show significant correlations: participants with high extraversion-scores experience significantly more flow than less extraverted persons, whereas lesser flow-experience seems to be related to high neuroticism-scores. Nevertheless, there is no influence in flow-experience concerning singing style (‘classical’ or ‘popular’). The longer the practicing time, the more likely students are to achieve flow-experience. However, older singers tend to have less flow-experience. Consequently, singers seem to differ in their personality and practice behavior compared to other musicians. Most of the findings show that having control over one’s instrument is decisive for achieving a performance of high quality, especially for singers. On the other hand, certainty in handling an instrument is essential to arouse a flow-feeling. However, flow-experience seems to be common mainly with amateur singers. In conclusion, this offers a starting point for new research on the psychology of vocalists in greater depth.

Psychische Belastung, Burnout, Perfektionismus, Optimismus, Pessimismus und Erholungskompetenz bei professionellen Sängerinnen und Sängern

“…Über die psychische Gesundheit und das Wohlbefinden von professionellen Sänger/innen ist bislang wenig bekannt. Verschiedene Forscher/innen bemängeln eine diesbezüglich stark defizitäre Forschungslage (Clift et al, 2008;Hannig, 2004;Heller et al, 2015;Kreutz, 2014;Spahn et al, 2010). Die vorhandenen Studien sind häufig mit methodischen Mängeln behaftet und/oder wurden mit sehr kleinen Stichproben durchgeführt (vgl.…”

“…Damit handelt es sich um eine der bislang größten musikpsychologischen Studien, in welcher Aspekte der psychischen Gesundheit bei professionellen Sänger/innen untersucht wurden. Damit trägt die Studie dazu bei, die in diesem Feld äußerst lückenhafte Forschungslage (Clift et al, 2008;Hannig, 2004;Heller et al, 2015;Kreutz, 2014;Spahn et al, 2010) etwas zu verbessern. In den niedrigen Burnout-Ausprägungen der Sänger/innen spiegelt sich möglicherweise die protektive Wirkung des Singens (Clift et al, 2008;Kreutz, 2014) …”

The Effect of Personality on Online Game Flow Experience and the Eye Blink Rate as an Objective Indicator

“…Their study found that people with an autotelic personality, which consisted of curiosity, persistence, altruism, independence, and vitality personality factors, could significantly influence levels of flow experience [8]. Heller et al (2015) investigated the correlations between personality traits with Eysenck's Personality Profiler and flow experience by the Practice Flow Inventory, in 120 amateur vocal students. The results revealed that participants with high extraversion-scores experienced significantly more flow than less extraverted persons.…”

“…Lesser flow experience levels were related to high neuroticism-scores. Heller et al also found that the certainty in handling an instrument for singers is essential to arouse a feeling of flow [9], indicating that the feeling of control is vital for people to obtain flow. People with a dominant personality tend to control their environment and own a high degree of control [4,5].…”

Interrelation of Flow Experience With Intrinsic Motivation and Personality Traits in Students

“…Так, по результатам некоторых исследований высокие показатели экстраверсии связаны с более высокими показателями потока (Ross, Keiser, 2014), что не подтверждается в других работах (Heller, Bullerjahn, & Georgi, 2015). Анализ роли черт из «Большой пятерки» в возникновении состояния по-тока показывает, что самыми сильными предикторами являются согласие и со-знательность (связь с 8-ю и 7-ю элементами соответственно), нейротизм и экс-траверсия имеют меньший вклад (связь с 4-мя и 5-ю шкалами соответственно), а открытость обнаруживает связь лишь с одним элементом (Ross, Keiser, 2014).…”