The Relationship of Extraversion and Neuroticism with Risk Attitude, Risk Perception, and Return Expectations

We analyze the influence of individuals’ degree of extraversion and neuroticism on the determinants of their risk-taking behavior in investment decisions. As there are no studies that investigate the influence of personality traits on risk attitude, risk perception, and return expectations in investment decisions simultaneously, we provide a meaningful contribution to existing literature. We use a unique data set that contains 342 undergraduate business students’ questionnaire responses measuring the students’ degree of extraversion and neuroticism as well as their risk attitude, risk perception, and return expectations. Therefore, we are able to identify which determinants of risk-taking are influenced by extraversion and neuroticism and induce individuals to take investment risks. We find that more extraverted individuals are less risk averse, whereas more neurotic subjects are more risk averse. Beside these results, we find that more conscientious individuals are more risk averse and perceive investments in assets as more risky. Further research should consider individuals’ personality as an influence factor on the determinants of risk-taking behavior in investment decisions.