The phrase “go with the flow” may have a scientific basis, according to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

The psychologist and author will discuss  “flow,” his theory that people are most happy when completely absorbed in a task, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

The event is part of  “Incite Your Curiosity” lecture series, hosted by the Center for Values in Medicine, Science and Technology at UT Dallas.  The lecture, to be held at Davidson Auditorium at UT Dallas School of Management, is free and open to the public.

Csikszentmihalyi is a key figure in the field of positive psychology. After conducting hundreds of interviews and studies, he found that people who are most content are so because of their work. He also discovered that some of the happiest, most creative people find joy simply in the pursuit of a job well done, and not because of success or rewards. 

Csikszentmihalyi teaches psychology at Claremont Graduate University. His ideas are now a staple of the curricula in the fields of management and organizational behavior. 

Managers have turned to his books, including Flow:the Psychology of Optimal Experience  and Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention, to find the best ways to get peak performance out of people.

For more information, visit the Web site for the Center for Values in Medicine, Science and Technology.