Biases and heursitics in personal finance decision-making

undergraduate thesis

• Author: Blaž Klobučar
• Mentor: Dajana Barbić (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Economics and Business; (Department of Finance); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-07-05, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Economics; Finance

Abstract

The thesis by Blaž Klobučar explores the impact of cognitive biases and heuristics on personal finance decision-making among students. Cognitive biases, such as anchoring and availability, lead individuals to make suboptimal financial decisions by relying on mental shortcuts. The research incorporates both primary and secondary data, including a structured questionnaire targeting young adults to assess their awareness of these biases. The study reveals that while students can recognize biased behavior in theory, they struggle to apply this understanding in practice, particularly in budgeting and investment decisions. Financial education shows potential in mitigating these biases, though it also correlates with overconfidence in financial predictions, such as stock market movements. The thesis suggests that enhancing financial literacy through targeted educational programs and policy interventions could improve financial decision-making. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing cognitive biases to foster better financial habits, with implications for both behavioral economics theory and practical financial education strategies.

• Keywords: cognitive biases; heuristics; personal finance; decision-making; financial education; behavioral economics; anchoring; overconfidence; budgeting; frinancial literacy
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:148:694699
• Study programme: Title: /; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni prvostupnik (baccalaureus) ekonomije/sveučilišna prvostupnica (baccalaurea) ekonomije (sveučilišni prvostupnik (baccalaureus) ekonomije/sveučilišna prvostupnica (baccalaurea) ekonomije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Access restricted to students and staff of home institution
• Created on: 2024-07-09 14:48:29