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Asset Mispricing Due to Cognitive Dissonance

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  • Mr. Bernhard Eckwert
  • Mr. Burkhard Drees

Abstract

The behavior of equity prices is analyzed in a general equilibrium model where agents have preferences not only over consumption but also (implicitly) over their beliefs. To alleviate cognitive dissonance, investors endogenously choose to ignore information that conflicts too much with their ex ante expectations. Depending on the new information that is released, systematic overvaluation and undervaluation of equity prices arise, as well as too much and too little equity price volatility. The distortion in the asset pricing process is closely related to the precision of the information.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Bernhard Eckwert & Mr. Burkhard Drees, 2005. "Asset Mispricing Due to Cognitive Dissonance," IMF Working Papers 2005/009, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2005/009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Pirie, Scott & Chan, Ronald King To, 2018. "A two-stage study of momentum investing in Asia: A case of cognitive dissonance?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 340-349.
    3. Mark Bowden, 2015. "A model of information flows and confirmatory bias in financial markets," Decisions in Economics and Finance, Springer;Associazione per la Matematica, vol. 38(2), pages 197-215, October.

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