Assessment of Cognitive Errors on Investor's Decision Making in Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the degree of influence of cognitive errors on investor's decision making. The study used primary data. The population consisted of clients of the top 10 stockbroking firms registered by the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at 31^st January, 2017. These 10 firms were selected because they constituted 68.72% of total value of transactions as at 31^st January, 2017. Data on assessment of cognitive errors in investment decision making among investors in Nigeria were obtained through structured questionnaire which was administered to 30 clients of each stockbroking firm, totalling 300. The data were analysed using percentage and binary logistic regression. The study concluded that cognitive errors, proxied by anchoring and adjustment bias, representative bias, illusion of control bias, hindsight bias, framing bias and gamblers fallacy, significantly influenced investor's decision making in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that, investors should seek knowledge about behavioural biases to understand which biases they are susceptible to and how to either avoid or adapt to them.