From Efficient Market Theory to Behavioral Finance

44 Pages Posted: 8 Nov 2002

See all articles by Robert J. Shiller

Robert J. Shiller

Yale University - Cowles Foundation; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Yale University - International Center for Finance

Date Written: October 2002

Abstract

The efficient markets theory reached the height of its dominance in academic circles around the 1970s. Faith in this theory was eroded by a succession of discoveries of anomalies, many in the 1980s, and of evidence of excess volatility of returns. Finance literature in this decade and after suggests a more nuanced view of the value of the efficient markets theory, and, starting in the 1990s, a blossoming of research on behavioral finance. Some important developments in the 1990s and recently include feedback theories, models of the interaction of smart money with ordinary investors, and evidence on obstacles to smart money.

Keywords: Speculative Markets, Rational Expectations, Psychology, Anomalies, Excess Volatility, Feedback, Smart Money, Limits to Arbitrage, Short Sales

JEL Classification: G14

Suggested Citation

Shiller, Robert J., From Efficient Market Theory to Behavioral Finance (October 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=349660

Robert J. Shiller (Contact Author)

Yale University - Cowles Foundation ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.econ.yale.edu/~shiller/

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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Yale University - International Center for Finance ( email )

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United States
203-432-3708 (Phone)
203-432-6167 (Fax)

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