Financial risk perceptions: a consciousness perspective

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications of human consciousness relative to financial risk perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

After conceptually identifying that risk perceptions qualify as a Qualia, survey data are gathered from investment experts to clarify the implications.

Findings

Financial risk perceptions are Qualia and as such should have a strong affective influence on risk perceptions. This suggests that aggregate market measures of financial risk may be difficult to obtain and utilize.

Research limitations/implications

Sample size could be larger and more complete implications need to be investigated. Sample unlikely to exhibit significant bias.

Practical implications

Going to be difficult to devise aggregate measures of financial risk across market participants.

Social implications

Risk is going to be heavily affective in orientation and interpersonal Trust is a financial risk attribute.

Originality/value

Is quite original as the author has never seen another paper look to the implications of consciousness for financial risk perceptions or even Trust. Breaks new ground!

Citation

A. Olsen, R. (2014), "Financial risk perceptions: a consciousness perspective", Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, Vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 66-74. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRFM-07-2012-0023