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Effects of a fearful emotional state on financial decisions in the presence of prior outcome information

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  • López-Guzmán, Silvia
  • Sautua, Santiago I.

Abstract

Negative emotions have been shown to influence financial risk-taking. However, how receiving salient information about prior outcomes interacts with a decision-maker’s emotional state is not well known. In a laboratory experiment, we induced a fearful emotional state to investigate its effects on financial investment when outcome probabilities are unknown but decision-makers observe prior outcomes. The effects of fear on investment depended on whether the sequence of previous outcomes was favorable or unfavorable and contained weak or strong information. Our findings suggest that fear affected investment, at least in part, through changes in expectations of success.

Suggested Citation

  • López-Guzmán, Silvia & Sautua, Santiago I., 2024. "Effects of a fearful emotional state on financial decisions in the presence of prior outcome information," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:101:y:2024:i:c:s016748702400014x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2024.102706
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Uncertainty; Information; Emotions; Expectations; Risk-taking;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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