Behavioral mediators of financial decision making – a state-of-art literature review

TLDR

This review surveys behavioral finance studies from 2006‑2015 on how behavioral variables shape financial decision making and classifies investor‑perceived risk dimensions. The authors analyzed 623 studies from international refereed journals, evaluating their insights and proposing future research directions, including a classification of risk dimensions. The review uncovered stock‑market anomalies that contradict modern portfolio theory and highlighted behavioral mediators that influence investor decision making, thereby extending knowledge of market and investor behavior.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the insights provided by behavioral finance studies conducted in the last decade (2006-2015) examining behavioral variables in financial decision making. Design/methodology/approach The literature review assesses 623 qualitative and quantitative studies published in various international refereed journals and identifies possible scope of future work. Findings The paper identifies stock market anomalies which contradict rational agents of modern portfolio theory at an aggregate level and behavioral mediators, influencing the financial decision making at an investor level. The paper also attempts to classify different dimensions of risk as professed by the investor. Originality/value The authors synthesize the contribution made by behavioral finance studies in extending the knowledge of financial market and investor behavior.