The abnormal psychology of investment performance1. Issue 2 (27th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patterson, Fernando M.; Daigler, Robert T.
• Is Part Of: Review of financial economics. Volume 23:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 55
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2013-08-27
• Subjects: Personality characteristics -- Abnormal psychology -- Investment performance -- Decision‐making -- Risk‐adjusted performance; Business -- Periodicals; Economics -- Periodicals; Business; Economics; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 332.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rfe.2013.08.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-3300

Abstract

Abstract: We examine a range of mental health characteristics (e.g. depression, paranoia, and schizophrenia) in subjects engaged in simulated investment trading, showing that certain abnormal personality characteristics have a statistically significant association with the degree of investment diversification, the return achieved, the degree of risk undertaken, and the resultant risk‐adjusted performance. These financially educated individuals are more paranoid and psychopathically deviant than the average person, with high scores on these characteristics associated with greater risk‐taking. Finally, male and female investors possess different mental health strengths and weaknesses in relation to their financial performance.