The Squid Game Shows Why Most People Fail to Profit from Trading"Squid Game, the sensational Netflix series that has taken the world by storm, offers a gripping mirror to human psychology, reflecting the intricate dance of emotions and decisions that we often encounter in the world of finance. Just as unsuspecting individuals are lured into the deadly games by the enigmatic subway stranger, many novice investors are drawn into the stock market by tales of friends striking it rich, often diving in headfirst without a hint of the rules of the game.
It's a rollercoaster ride from beginner's luck to the perilous cliffs of attribution bias. Beginner's luck, that elusive phenomenon where newcomers seem to outshine the experts, can be an enticing trap. It leads to overconfidence, a misplaced faith in gut feelings, and an overzealous desire to trade that often ends up costing a small fortune in fees. These overconfident traders become engrossed in their own world, neglecting the wisdom of statistics and putting all their eggs in a single, precarious basket.
Attribution bias, another insidious cognitive bias, rears its head as traders concoct explanations for their successes and failures. Profit? They're geniuses with uncanny foresight. Loss? Blame it on market conditions or mere bad luck. The mind constantly seeks excuses for every twist and turn.
Even great minds like Isaac Newton, who could unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, fell victim to the madness of financial markets, a glaring example of attribution bias in action.
In Squid Game, the players, after witnessing horrifying tragedies during 'Red Light Green Light,' are given a choice to continue playing or not. Overconfidence and attribution bias grip the survivors as they believe they are destined for victory, much like many traders who cling to the belief that improbable outcomes are within their grasp.
Mob psychology and the bandwagon effect rear their heads in the story, too. The players form alliances and teams based on earlier factions, mirroring the tendencies of investors to follow the crowd rather than adhere to their own strategies and analyses. Panic buying, selling frenzies, and susceptibility to pump-and-dump schemes ensue.
In the financial world, these psychological phenomena can lead us astray, costing us dearly. But unlike the brutal Squid Game, financial markets aren't a zero-sum game. With a solid understanding of market characteristics, rules, and diligent research, you can gain a statistical edge. As a trader, I'd argue that technical knowledge accounts for less than 5% of the equation; it's all about mastering your cognitive biases and maintaining emotional control.
So, just as the surviving players in Squid Game strive to outlast their competition, investors and traders should strive to outsmart their own psychological pitfalls. In the end, success in the market isn't about luck but about mastering the intricacies of the human mind in a complex financial world.
If you found this insightful, don't forget to like and follow for more quality content! Feel free to share your thoughts and questions below—let's navigate this financial journey together!"
This chart is inspired by @Michael_Wang_Official
