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The Psychophysiology of Real-Time Financial Risk Processing

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  • Andrew W. Lo
  • Dmitry V. Repin

Abstract

A longstanding controversy in economics and finance is whether financial markets are governed by rational forces or by emotional responses. We study the importance of emotion in the decisionmaking process of professional securities traders by measuring their physiological characteristics, e.g., skin conductance, blood volume pulse, etc., during live trading sessions while simultaneously capturing real-time prices from which market events can be defined. In a sample of 10 traders, we find significant correlation between electrodermal responses and transient market events, and between changes in cardiovascular variables and market volatility. We also observe differences in these correlations among the 10 traders which may be systematically related to the traders' levels of experience.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew W. Lo & Dmitry V. Repin, 2001. "The Psychophysiology of Real-Time Financial Risk Processing," NBER Working Papers 8508, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:8508
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Falato, Antonio, 2009. "Happiness maintenance and asset prices," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1247-1262, June.
    2. Lucy F. Ackert & Bryan K. Church & Richard Deaves, 2003. "Emotion and financial markets," Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, vol. 88(Q2), pages 33-41.
    3. Dowling, Michael & Lucey, Brian M., 2005. "Weather, biorhythms, beliefs and stock returns--Some preliminary Irish evidence," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 337-355.
    4. Lubomír Cingl, 2013. "Does Herd Behaviour Arise Easier Under Time Pressure? Experimental Approach," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2013(4), pages 558-582.
    5. Melo, L, 2010. "Earth magnetism and the economic behavior," MPRA Paper 21656, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Anya Krivelyova & Cesare Robotti, 2003. "Playing the field: Geomagnetic storms and international stock markets," FRB Atlanta Working Paper 2003-5, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
    7. Maria Strydom & Amale Scally & John Watson, 2019. "Impact of mood and gender on individual investors’ reactions to retractions and corrections of earnings forecasts," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(9), pages 941-955, February.
    8. Anderson, Irina & Thoma, Volker, 2021. "The edge of reason: A thematic analysis of how professional financial traders understand analytical decision making," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 304-314.
    9. Dr. Peter Kenning & Hilke Plassmann, 2004. "NeuroEconomics," Experimental 0412005, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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