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Abstract
This qualitative research delves into cognitive biases and decision-making in investment practices to comprehend the intricate dynamics shaping human behavior in financial markets. The study aims to explore the influence of cognitive biases, emotional factors, and socio-cultural influences on investment decisions. Adopting thematic analysis, relevant literature on cognitive biases and decision-making in investment practices is systematically reviewed. The data analysis process involves iterative coding to identify recurring themes and patterns. Findings reveal the pervasive impact of cognitive biases such as overconfidence and confirmation bias on investment behavior, leading to suboptimal decision-making outcomes. Emotional factors like fear of missing out (FOMO) drive speculative behavior among investors, contributing to market inefficiencies. Moreover, socio-cultural factors influence risk perception and decision-making norms, shaping investment strategies across different cultural contexts. The study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing cognitive biases in investment practices to improve decision outcomes and enhance long-term financial well-being. Behavioral interventions and technological advancements offer promising avenues for mitigating cognitive biases and enhancing decision-making efficiency. The implications for future research include deeper exploration of underlying mechanisms driving biases and cross-cultural comparisons to inform culturally sensitive interventions. This study contributes to advancing knowledge in behavioral finance and informs evidence-based practices in investment management.
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References
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References
Baker, M., & Wurgler, J. (2007). Investor sentiment in the stock market. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 21(2), 129–151. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.21.2.129
Barber, B. M., & Odean, T. (2000). Trading is hazardous to your wealth: The common stock investment performance of individual investors. The Journal of Finance, 55(2), 773–806. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-1082.00235
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Camerer, C. F. (2003). Behavioral game theory: Experiments in strategic interaction. Princeton University Press.
De Martino, B., Kumaran, D., Seymour, B., & Dolan, R. J. (2006). Frames, biases, and rational decision-making in the human brain. Science, 313(5787), 684–687. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1128356
DeBondt, W. F. M., & Thaler, R. H. (1995). Financial decision-making in markets and firms: A behavioral perspective. Handbooks in Operations Research and Management Science, 9, 385–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0927-0507(05)80017-2
Graham, J. R., Harvey, C. R., & Huang, H. (2005). Investor competence, trading frequency, and home bias. Management Science, 51(7), 1037–1052. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1050.0369
Hagströmer, B., Anderson, R., Benth, F. E., & Lindström, E. (2015). Robo-advisors. In G. Gregoriou & G. N. Gregoriou (Eds.), Robo-Advisors: The Brave New World of Automated Investing (pp. 1–16). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137534254_1
Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture's consequences: International differences in work-related values (Vol. 5). Sage.
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263–291. https://doi.org/10.2307/1914185
Lerner, J. S., Li, Y., Valdesolo, P., & Kassam, K. S. (2015). Emotion and decision making. Annual Review of Psychology, 66, 799–823. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115043
Lovallo, D., & Sibony, O. (2010). The case for behavioral strategy. McKinsey Quarterly, 1, 30–43.
Nkukpornu, J. (2020). The role of biases in financial decision making: A literature review. Journal of Financial Planning and Analysis, 4(2), 89–96.
Rabin, M., & Schrag, J. L. (1999). First impressions matter: A model of confirmatory bias. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 114(1), 37–82. https://doi.org/10.1162/003355399555954
Shah, M. A. (2020). Impact of biases on investment decision making. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 8(6), 23–31.
Shefrin, H., & Statman, M. (1985). The disposition to sell winners too early and ride losers too long: Theory and evidence. The Journal of Finance, 40(3), 777–790. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.1985.tb05002.x
Thaler, R. H. (2015). Misbehaving: The making of behavioral economics. W. W. Norton & Company.
Thaler, R. H., & Sunstein, C. R. (2008). Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness. Yale University Press.
Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124–1131. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.185.4157.1124