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Trading and Investment Psychology – The Science of Behavioral Finance
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Humanity evolved long before financial markets emerged, yet our DNA still contains intuitive decision-making mechanisms. Have we become more logical and rational over the past 70,000 years? How has this affected the financial decisions of traders and investors?
In this article, we will explore how emotions and cognitive biases influence trading and how to apply behavioral finance principles to improve results.

Intuition and Investment Decisions

A modern investor sees rising stocks and thinks, "Time to buy!" This is an example of intuitive thinking, inherited from our ancestors. In the past, intuition helped humans survive, but in finance, it often leads to irrational decisions.

Why does this happen?

  • 1
    Intuition provides quick but not always accurate answers.
  • 2
    Rational analysis requires more time and effort.
  • 3
    People tend to avoid complex calculations, relying on emotions instead.
Conclusion:
Successful trading requires shifting from intuitive thinking to systematic analysis.

Why Emotional Decisions Are Easier

Than Rational Ones

Money triggers strong emotions. Most people find emotional decisions easier to make than logical ones.

Emotional decisions – fast, pleasant, but often wrong.
Rational decisions – require effort but yield better results.


Example: Brokers use slogans like "Fast," "Easy," "Profitable" to trigger emotions and encourage impulsive trades

How to avoid emotional traps?

  • 1
    Pause before making important decisions.
  • 2
    Shift your focus – take a walk or step away from the screen.
  • 3
    Develop clear trading rul
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Two Decision-Making Systems: System 1 and System 2

Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman introduced a model dividing thinking into two systems:

System 1 – fast, emotional, intuitive. Works automatically and often leads to mistakes.
System 2 – slow, logical, rational. Requires effort but helps in making well-balanced decisions.

Conclusion: A trader must develop System 2 thinking to minimize intuitive errors.

System 1 Traps in Trading

  • 1
    Representativeness heuristic
    Traders assume patterns will continue. If prices have risen for five days, they believe the trend will persist, but past performance
    does not guarantee future results.
  • 2
    Disposition effect
    Beginners close profitable trades too early and hold onto losing ones for too long, hoping for a reversal, which increases losses.

  • 3
    Familiarity bias
    Investors prefer domestic stocks, ignoring better opportunities in global markets.

  • 4
    Anchoring effect
    People fixate on an initial price. If a stock was $100 and dropped to $80, it may seem "cheap," but this could simply
    be the new market level.
  • 5
    Cognitive biases
    Traders attribute success to skill but blame external factors for failures, preventing objective analysis
Tip: Keep a trading journal to analyze mistakes.

How to Develop System 2 and Think Rationally?

  • Get enough sleep

    Lack of rest reduces critical thinking.

  • Eat well

    The brain needs vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.

  • Take breaks

    Prolonged work reduces focus.

  • Practice mindfulness

    Meditation helps improve emotional control.

  • Exercise

    Physical activity boosts cognitive function.
Trading Psychology
Fact: Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater, the world's largest hedge fund, regularly meditates to maintain focus.
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Conclusion

Trading is not just about strategy but also psychology.
Control emotions to avoid impulsive decisions.
Develop rational thinking (System 2) for consistent results.

Want to learn more? Study behavioral finance principles and apply them to your trading.


Wishing you success in trading!