Scientific Definition
Risk decisions are driven by current emotion — not just by computed probabilities.
Plain-English Definition
Risk decisions are driven by current emotion — not just by computed probabilities.
Feynman Explanation
The market is a mood, briefly disguised as a model.
Core Principle
Risk decisions are driven by current emotion — not just by computed probabilities.
Mechanisms
Pending editorial review.
Risk decisions are driven by current emotion — not just by computed probabilities.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Risk appetite at the executive level is mood-coupled.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
The market is a mood, briefly disguised as a model.
Examples
- Investors selling on fear, buying on euphoria — independent of the math.
- Risk appetite at the executive level is mood-coupled.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Separate the moment of analysis from the moment of decision. Add a cooling period.
Measurement Approaches
Pending editorial review.
Evidence
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
The Perverse Incentive Lens™
How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.
- Separate the moment of analysis from the moment of decision. Add a cooling period.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Interactive Mini Network
Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.
Knowledge Graph Neighbors
Auto-linked to the rest of the Human Behavior Taxonomy by family, domain, dimension, and shared keywords.
Preferring options with known probabilities over options with unknown ones.
We overweight outcomes that are certain relative to merely probable ones.
Convex payoffs gain more than they lose; concave do the opposite.
Influence tactics weaponized — manipulation, coercion, exploitation of trust.
Dread weighs roughly double in our calculus what the equivalent gain does.
Build buffers so small mistakes don't become fatal.
Frequent evaluation amplifies loss aversion and produces overly conservative behavior.
The moment after which reversing a course becomes impossible or extremely costly.
We overweight tiny probabilities of large gains or losses.
We ignore probability when outcomes are emotionally charged.
People take more risks when they feel safer.
Risk has known probabilities. Uncertainty doesn't.