From Stress To Financial Mess: Acute Stress Affects Financial Decision Making
Thursday, April 2, 2009 - 02:14
in Psychology & Sociology
According to a new report in Psychological Science, stress could make our financial troubles even worse. This study suggests that stress exaggerates the reflection effect; while exposed to stress volunteers were more conservative when choosing between potentially positive outcomes and were riskier when choosing between gambles that could result in a loss. These findings indicate that in financial decision making, where rational and deliberative thinking is essential, a stressful environment might hamper our ability to make decisions.