Mental calibration and the enjoyment of action

Two studies tested the optimality hypothesis of action identification theory (Vallacher & Wegner, 1985). This model predicts that personally difficult activities are enjoyed when they are identified in relatively low-level, "how-to" terms, whereas personally easy activities are enjoyed when they are identified in higher level, comprehensive terms. In Study 1, participants (N = 172) attempted to solve either high- or low-difficulty anagrams under various identities for their behavior. In Study 2, expert and novice artists (N = 55) drew a picture under either a high or low identity for the act of drawing. In both studies, results provided support for action identification theory's model of task enjoyment.