Mind, Body, Bubble! Psychological and Biophysical Dimensions of Behavior in Experimental Asset Markets

34 Pages Posted: 11 Jun 2018

See all articles by David Butler

David Butler

Griffith University

Stephen L. Cheung

The University of Sydney; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Abstract

Asset market bubbles and crashes are a major source of economic instability and inefficiency. Sometimes ascribed to animal spirits or irrational exuberance, their source remains imperfectly understood. Experimental methods can isolate systematic deviations from an asset's fundamental value in a manner not possible on the trading floor. In this chapter, we review evidence from dozens of laboratory experiments that investigate the measurement and manipulation of an array of psychological and biophysical attributes. Measures of emotion self‐regulation and interoceptive ability are informative, as is cognitive ability and the level and fluctuation of hormones.Rules that promote deliberative decision making can improve market efficiency, while incidental emotions can impair it. Signals in specific brain areas can be a trigger precipitating a bubble's collapse. We conclude that trading decisions are profoundly biophysical in a manner not captured by efficient markets models, and close with speculations on implications for algorithmic trading.

Keywords: efficient markets hypothesis, emotions, experimental asset markets, price bubbles and crashes, somatic marker hypothesis

JEL Classification: C92, D91, G12, G41

Suggested Citation

Butler, David and Cheung, Stephen L., Mind, Body, Bubble! Psychological and Biophysical Dimensions of Behavior in Experimental Asset Markets. IZA Discussion Paper No. 11563, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3193317 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3193317

David Butler (Contact Author)

Griffith University ( email )

170 Kessels Road
Nathan, Queensland QLD 4111
Australia

Stephen L. Cheung

The University of Sydney ( email )

School of Economics
Social Sciences Building A02
Sydney, NSW 2006
Australia
+61 2 9351 2135 (Phone)
+61 2 9351 4341 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://https://sydney.edu.au/arts/economics/staff/profiles/stephen.cheung.php

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

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