Financial Alchemists and Financial Shamans

Forthcoming, Behavioral & Brain Sciences

4 Pages Posted: 26 Sep 2017

See all articles by Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson

University of Bath - School of Management

Date Written: September 24, 2017

Abstract

Professional money management appears to require little skill, yet its practitioners command astronomical salaries. Singh’s theory of shamanism provides one possible explanation: Financial professionals are the shamans of the global economy. They cultivate the perception of superhuman traits, maintain grueling initiation rituals, and rely on esoteric divination rituals. An anthropological view of markets can usefully supplement economic and psychological approaches.

Keywords: financial professionals, money management, cognitive illusions, shamanism, anthropology, psychological biases

JEL Classification: D91, E7, G24, G4, G41, J31, Z13

Suggested Citation

Johnson, Samuel, Financial Alchemists and Financial Shamans (September 24, 2017). Forthcoming, Behavioral & Brain Sciences , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3042154

Samuel Johnson (Contact Author)

University of Bath - School of Management ( email )

Claverton Down
Bath, BA2 7AY
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.sgbjohnson.com/

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