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Investment, Resolution of Risk, and the Role of Affect

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  • Frans van Winden

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Michal Krawczyk

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Astrid Hopfensitz

    (University of Toulouse)

Abstract

This discussion paper has resulted in a publication in the 'Journal of Economic Psychology' 32(6) 918-39. This experimental study is concerned with the impact of the timing of the resolution of risk onpeople's willingness to take risks, with a special focus on the role of affect. While the importanceof anticipatory emotions has so far been only inferred from decisions regarding hypothetical choiceproblems, we had participants put their own money at risk in a real investment task. Moreover,emotions were explicitly measured, including anticipatory emotions experienced during the waitingperiod under delayed resolution (which involved two days). Affective traits and risk attitudes weremeasured through a web-based questionnaire before the experiment and participants' preferencesfor resolution timing, risk, and time were incentive compatibly measured during the experiment.Main findings are that delayed resolution can affect investment, that the effect depends on the riskinvolved, and that (among all the measures considered) only emotions can explain our results,albeit in ways that are not captured by existing models.

Suggested Citation

  • Frans van Winden & Michal Krawczyk & Astrid Hopfensitz, 2008. "Investment, Resolution of Risk, and the Role of Affect," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 08-047/1, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20080047
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Investment decision; delayed resolution of risk; emotions; experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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