Document Type
Thesis
First Faculty Advisor
Maura Ann Dowling
Second Faculty Advisor
Raymond Grigelevich
Keywords
risk paradigms; money scripts; mental models; investor decision making; financial behavior
Publisher
Bryant University
Rights Management
CC - BY - NC - ND
Abstract
Since World War II, financial markets have been traditionally analyzed through quantitative models, yet these approaches often fail to account for the psychological and behavioral tendencies of investors. This study examines how investors’ initial experiences with market conditions shape their long-term risk-taking behavior. Findings suggest that individual market experiences, personal background, demographics, and other factors all influence how investors perceive risk. For instance, those who enter the market during periods of volatility may develop a more risk-averse mindset, while investors who experience strong bull markets early on may become overconfident in their future decisions. These insights have significant implications for individuals, financial advisors, and economic models, emphasizing the need to evolve our “money scripts” and integrate behavioral finance principles into investment strategies. By understanding their own biases, financial professionals can tailor advice to their clients’ unique psychological tendencies, mitigating subconscious behaviors that lead to suboptimal investment choices. Furthermore, policymakers and financial institutions can use these insights to design educational initiatives and risk management tools that help investors make more informed decisions. Ultimately, incorporating behavioral finance into traditional economic models can lead to a more holistic understanding of economies and more resilient financial decision-making at both the individual and institutional levels.
Comments
This research was completed as a capstone project for Bryant University's Honors Program, fulfilling the final academic requirement for graduation with Honors. It has not been published elsewhere or submitted to any other institution or journal.