A Research Starting Point for the New Scholar: A Unique Perspective of Behavioral Finance

Abstract

The first time this author became aware of behavioral finance was in June 1998. At that point of time, there was no apparent or precise source of information for a new scholar interested in the field to select a research starting point. It was the author's intention, by writing this paper, to provide a research starting point to new scholars, and inspire them to conduct research in this field. The author of this paper provides the reader with a discussion concerning the discipline of behavioral finance with the new scholar in mind. Behavioral finance investigates the cognitive factors and emotional issues that individuals, financial experts, and traders exhibit within the securities markets. Upon examination, the literature reveals that behavioral finance is based on the notion of interdisciplinary research from a wide range of fields. Therefore, there is a presentation of the substantive nature of the interdisciplinary philosophy, as well as the value and strong contributions this type of 'discipline borrowing' could have, within academic finance. Lastly, the author provides an extensive catalog of the concepts, and books by behavioral finance scholars, as well as a sample of influential papers and dissertations.

Keywords: behavioral finance, standard finance, behavioural finance, experimental finance, behavioral economics, behavioral accounting, financial psychology, interdisciplinary research, books, dissertations, publications, bounded rationality, risk, learning, students

JEL Classification: A12, G00, G14