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Rational vs. irrational beliefs in a complex world

Author

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  • Boehl, Gregor
  • Hommes, Cars

Abstract

How do rational and boundedly rational agents interact in a competitive asset market? To answer this question, we build a highly nonlinear asset pricing model where agents hold heterogeneous beliefs. Our model features fully rational forward looking agents versus boundedly rational backward looking agents whose market shares evolve endogenously. This gives rise to chaotic model dynamics which are characterized by complex bubble and crash dynamics, even without any exogenous fluctuations. We show that computational methods can be applied to numerically analyze models combining agents forming rational expectations and agents forming extrapolative expectations, with the possibility of transition between one type of behavior and the other. Not only do we find that boundedly rational agents remain in the market, but document that their effect on price dynamics is even amplified by the behavior of fully rational agents. In their interaction, trend-extrapolators amplify small deviations from fundamentals, while rational agents eventually anticipate market crashes after large bubbles and drive prices back to the fundamental.

Suggested Citation

  • Boehl, Gregor & Hommes, Cars, 2025. "Rational vs. irrational beliefs in a complex world," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:232:y:2025:i:c:s0167268125000186
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2025.106898
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Behavioral interaction; Heterogeneous agents; Bubbles; Numerical methods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C63 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computational Techniques
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G40 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - General

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