Do Psychological Shocks Affect Financial Risk Taking Behavior? A Study of U.S. Veterans

Contemporary Economic Policy 31.3, 457-467, July 2013

22 Pages Posted: 31 Jul 2014

See all articles by Vicki L. Bogan

Vicki L. Bogan

Duke University; Cornell University

David Just

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

Brian Wansink

Retired - Cornell University

Date Written: February 1, 2012

Abstract

Traditional economic theories assume that individuals are endowed with certain risk preferences that are unaltered by experiences. However, recent evidence indicates that macroeconomic shocks do have an effect on an individual’s willingness to take financial risks. In the context of investment decisions, we examine empirically whether individual’s risk preferences are affected by other types of traumatic life experiences. Using a unique proprietary data set, we investigate whether personal traumatic experiences - such as the combat experiences of veterans - have long-term effects on financial risk taking behavior. We find that having experienced combat decreases the probability of investing in risky assets. Key policy implications are noted.

Keywords: investment behavior, stockholding, veterans, combat, war, traumatic life experience

Suggested Citation

Bogan, Vicki L. and Just, David and Wansink, Brian, Do Psychological Shocks Affect Financial Risk Taking Behavior? A Study of U.S. Veterans (February 1, 2012). Contemporary Economic Policy 31.3, 457-467, July 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2474243

Vicki L. Bogan

Duke University ( email )

100 Fuqua Drive
Durham, NC 27708-0204
United States

Cornell University ( email )

Warren Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
United States
607-254-7219 (Phone)

David Just

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management ( email )

Ithaca, NY
United States
6072552086 (Phone)

Brian Wansink (Contact Author)

Retired - Cornell University ( email )

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