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Choiceology · September 9, 2024 · 30m
Ahead of Its Time: Loss Aversion and the Disposition Effect
When facing losses that aren't yet finalized, people take on more risk than they normally would. Explores how loss aversion and the disposition effect cause investors and everyday decision-makers to hold onto losing positions too long.
Canon
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Milkman: the sunk cost fallacy causes people to continue investing time, money, or effort into something because of what they've already invested, even when future prospects don't justify continuing. The past investment is 'sunk' — it can't be recovered regardless of what you do next.
Highlights
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The disposition effect — we hold losers too long and sell winners too early
Milkman: loss aversion creates an asymmetry in how we handle gains and losses. We sell winning investments too quickly (to lock in the gain) and hold losing investments too long (to avoid realizing the loss), even when the rational strategy is the opposite.