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Historical roots of behavioural financial thought

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  • Bozhidar Nedev

Abstract

The rise of the first implicit ideas in the field of behavioural finance is examined from a historical point of view, taking into consideration the evolution of economic theories. The first documented manifestation of irrational behaviour on a market level, which took place during the 17th century, is presented. The foundations of Daniel Bernoulli’s Decision theory from the 18th century are systemized in regard to the implementation of behavioural aspects and the reference to the contemporary Prospect theory. The classical and early neoclassical schools of economic thought, where the idea that economic decisions are also being influenced by emotional stimulus can be found in the works of economists like Hermann Heinrich Gossen, Adam Smith, Jeremy Bentham, William Stanley Jevons, Leon Walras and Edgeworth, are examined. The neoclassical school of economics, where the representatives of marginalism limit the idea of the complexity of human nature, is also analysed. In conclusion, a short description of some of the contemporary aspects of the science of behavioural finance is made.

Suggested Citation

  • Bozhidar Nedev, 2019. "Historical roots of behavioural financial thought," Economic Thought journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 3, pages 33-50.
    • Handle: RePEc:bas:econth:y:2019:i:3:p:33-50
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Dimitar Zlatinov, 2017. "Effects of Business Cycle on Private Consumption in Bulgaria during the Global Financial and Economic Crisis)," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 4, pages 91-107.
    4. Pavlo Illiashenko, 2017. "Behavioral Finance: History and Foundations," Visnyk of the National Bank of Ukraine, National Bank of Ukraine, issue 239, pages 28-54.
    5. Gordon F. Davis, 2003. "Philosophical Psychology and Economic Psychology in David Hume and Adam Smith," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 35(2), pages 269-304, Summer.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dimitar Zlatinov & Ilia Atanasov, 2021. "Absolute and Conditional Convergence: A Story about Convergence Clubs and Divergence in the EU," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 2, pages 39-55.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • B10 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - General
    • B11 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Preclassical (Ancient, Medieval, Mercantilist, Physiocratic)
    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • B13 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Neoclassical through 1925 (Austrian, Marshallian, Walrasian, Wicksellian)
    • G40 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - General
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets

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