Final answer:
When an individual is fully immersed in a task to the point of losing track of time and self, they experience a 'flow' state, characterized by intense focus, personal control, and pleasure due to the match between their abilities and the challenge of the task.
Step-by-step explanation:
When shaping is done right, the individual who is acquiring new skills, or perfecting old ones, can experience a state of flow. In this state, the individual is so into the task that they lose all sense of time, and all sense of self. Flow states are only possible for someone who has achieved some level of proficiency at a task, and they represent a period of intense concentration and awareness along with a sense of personal control or agency, while still being pleasurable because the challenge of the task matches the individual's ability. The concept of the learning curve helps explain how proficiency grows from novice to expert and how activities can transition from being difficult and stressful to becoming effortless and fulfilling. Not to be confused with states like hypnosis which is focused self-attention or social loafing which occurs in group settings, flow is a deeply engaging experience. Whereas alienation can lead to a loss of self, flow states are enriched with a strong sense of identity and personal satisfaction.