The abnormal psychology of investment performance

We examine a range of mental health characteristics (e.g. depression, paranoia, and schizophrenia) in subjects engaged in simulated investment trading, showing that certain abnormal personality characteristics have a statistically significant association with the degree of investment diversification, the return achieved, the degree of risk undertaken, and the resultant risk-adjusted performance. These financially educated individuals are more paranoid and psychopathically deviant than the average person, with high scores on these characteristics associated with greater risk-taking. Finally, male and female investors possess different mental health strengths and weaknesses in relation to their financial performance.