DIMENSIONS OF AUTOTELIC PERSONALITY AND THEIR EFFECTS ON PERCEIVED PLAYFULNESS IN THE CONTEXT OF MOBILE INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES

Abstract

Autotelic Personality represents an important individual construct in flow theory yet little is known about its underlying dimensions. Csikszentmihalyi (1988) suggested that the higher the autotelic nature of an individual, the more likely for him/her to experience flow. This study explores autotelic personality, its underlying dimensions and its relationship with perceived playfulness in the context of Mobile Information and Entertainment Services (MIES). This study found Autotelic Personality to be an important quality in order for users to experience perceived playfulness in the MIES context. Several underlying dimensions of Autotelic Personality were identified, including personal innovativeness, self efficacy and control.