The house money effect was first described by researchers Richard Thaler and Eric Johnson in a 1990 study entitled Gambling with the House Money and Trying to Break Even: The Effects of Prior Outcomes on Risky Choice. The house money effect is a cognitive bias where investors take higher risks on reinvested capital than they would on an initial investment.
Aspect | Explanation |
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Definition of House Money Effect | The House Money Effect is a psychological phenomenon observed in decision-making and risk-taking behaviors. It refers to the tendency of individuals to take greater risks with money or assets that they perceive as “house money” or winnings from prior activities, as opposed to their own hard-earned money. The term originates from the world of gambling, where players are more likely to place riskier bets with their winnings (house money) rather than their initial stake. In broader contexts, the House Money Effect can influence financial investments, business decisions, and everyday choices. It suggests that people tend to be less risk-averse when they perceive the funds as “extra” or not part of their baseline assets. Recognizing this effect is important in understanding how individuals and organizations approach risk and financial decisions. |
Key Concepts | Several key concepts define the House Money Effect: |
– Perceived Ownership | The House Money Effect is driven by the perception of ownership over the money or assets in question. When individuals perceive the funds as “extra” or not part of their original investment, they are more willing to take risks with those funds. Perceived ownership influences risk-taking behavior. |
– Risk Tolerance | Risk tolerance refers to an individual’s willingness and comfort level with taking risks. The House Money Effect can lead to an increased risk tolerance when dealing with perceived winnings or “house money.” People may take risks they wouldn’t with their own savings or initial capital. Risk tolerance is influenced by the House Money Effect. |
– Behavioral Economics | The House Money Effect is a concept rooted in behavioral economics, a field that studies how psychological factors and biases influence economic decisions. It illustrates how non-rational factors can impact financial choices. Behavioral economics highlights the role of psychology in economic decision-making. |
– Contextual Influence | Context plays a significant role in the House Money Effect. The decision to perceive funds as “house money” is influenced by the context in which the funds were acquired. This can include gambling winnings, investment gains, or unexpected windfalls. Contextual influence shapes the House Money Effect. |
Characteristics | The House Money Effect exhibits the following characteristics: |
– Context Dependency | The House Money Effect is context-dependent, meaning it varies based on the specific circumstances and how individuals perceive their financial situation. It is more likely to be observed when individuals view the funds as “extra” or separate from their core financial resources. Context dependency is a defining characteristic of the House Money Effect. |
– Risk Perception | The effect directly impacts risk perception. When individuals perceive funds as house money, they tend to underestimate the potential risks associated with decisions involving those funds. This can lead to riskier choices. Risk perception is influenced by the House Money Effect. |
– Impact on Decision-Making | The House Money Effect can influence various decision-making scenarios, including investments, spending, and entrepreneurial ventures. It often leads to more daring choices and a willingness to take on risks that might be avoided with personal savings or initial capital. Impact on decision-making can have financial consequences. |
– Psychological Bias | The House Money Effect is considered a psychological bias that affects how individuals assess and approach financial situations. It underscores the role of cognitive biases in financial decision-making. Psychological bias is central to the House Money Effect. |
Revenue Models | The House Money Effect itself does not generate revenue; instead, it can influence financial decisions that may impact revenue in various ways: |
– Investment Decisions | In investment scenarios, individuals who perceive gains as “house money” may be more willing to invest in riskier assets or make speculative decisions. While this can lead to potential gains, it also carries higher risks that could affect investment returns. |
– Business Ventures | Entrepreneurs or business owners may be more inclined to undertake riskier business ventures or expand their operations when they view additional funds as “house money.” This can lead to opportunities for revenue growth, but it also exposes the business to increased risks. |
– Consumer Spending | Consumers who perceive their surplus funds as “extra” may engage in higher levels of discretionary spending or luxury purchases, potentially boosting revenue for businesses catering to such spending patterns. |
– Asset Allocation | In the context of asset management, individuals managing portfolios may allocate perceived winnings or “house money” differently than their core investments. This can impact the overall performance of the portfolio and, consequently, investment returns. |
Advantages | While the House Money Effect is not inherently advantageous or disadvantageous, understanding its implications can offer several advantages: |
– Risk Awareness | Recognizing the House Money Effect increases awareness of how psychological biases can influence financial decisions. This awareness can lead to more informed and balanced risk-taking behavior. |
– Better Decision-Making | Understanding the House Money Effect allows individuals and organizations to make more deliberate and rational choices when dealing with perceived winnings or additional funds. It can lead to improved financial decision-making. |
– Mitigating Risks | Organizations and investors can take steps to mitigate the potential risks associated with the House Money Effect by incorporating risk management strategies and diversification into their decision-making processes. This can help protect against excessive risk-taking. |
– Financial Planning | Incorporating the House Money Effect into financial planning can result in more balanced and realistic financial goals and strategies. It helps individuals and organizations account for potential biases in their financial plans. |
Understanding the house money effect
In the paper, Thaler and Johnson ask the reader to consider a scenario where they were attending a convention in Las Vegas. While passing the slot machines in a casino one night, they place a quarter in one slot machine and win $100.
The pair then asks the reader to consider how their gambling behavior might be affected for the rest of the evening. In other words, would they be tempted to make a few more serious wages – even if they usually refrained from the practice? The answer, in most cases, is yes. The individual would continue to place bets in the casino with house money.
Today, the house money effect is more commonly associated with investors. The effect suggests some investors tend to enter into positions with higher risk if they have already made a profit from the initial investment. Windfall trades may also induce the house money effect. When an investor triples their money in four months, for example, they may bet it all on another risky trade instead of taking profit or investing more conservatively.
Why does the house money effect occur?
The house money effect occurs because of the distinction investors make between their own capital in the form of wages or savings and the capital gains made on an investment.
In simple terms, the house money effect describes a tendency for the investor to take on more risk with money obtained easily or unexpectedly. Capital earned through employment or other means is not invested in the same way since the capital itself is harder to “earn”.
To demonstrate the attraction of easy-won gains, Thaler and Johnson conducted a study with two groups. The first group was told they’d won $30 and could take part in a coin toss to gamble a portion of their winnings. Heads would reduce the winnings to $21 and tails would increase them to $39. The second group was given a more simple proposition: they could either accept the $30 or toss the coin under identical terms to the first group.
While the expected value for each group was the same, the members of the group who were told they’d won the money were more likely to take the coin toss and risk losing their money. The second group, whose money was not associated with gambling, was much more conservative and decided to cash out their $30.
Examples of the House Money Effect:
- Stock Market Investment: An investor, let’s call her Sarah, buys shares of a tech company and sees a significant increase in the stock price, resulting in a sizable profit. Sarah experiences the house money effect and becomes more willing to take higher risks with her profits. Instead of cashing out some of her gains or diversifying her portfolio, she decides to reinvest a large portion of her profits into riskier stocks or speculative assets.
- Cryptocurrency Trading: John invests a small amount in a cryptocurrency and sees its value skyrocket within a short period. He experiences the house money effect and becomes overconfident in his trading abilities. John decides to invest more significant amounts in other cryptocurrencies without conducting thorough research or understanding the potential risks involved. His decision is influenced by the profits he made earlier, leading to higher-risk trades.
- Real Estate Investment: Mary invests in a rental property, and over time, its value appreciates substantially. As a result of the house money effect, she decides to take out a home equity loan against the property to fund another investment. This decision exposes her to higher financial risks, as she is leveraging her property’s gains to make additional investments.
- Startup Funding: Jack is an angel investor who invested in a startup during its early stages. The startup achieves significant success and receives a large funding round from a venture capital firm. Encouraged by the success of the startup, Jack decides to invest more money in riskier early-stage startups without conducting thorough due diligence. He believes that his initial success with the first startup makes him more capable of identifying successful ventures.
- Gambling Behavior: The house money effect is well-documented in the context of gambling. For example, in a casino, a gambler wins a substantial amount of money early in the night while playing blackjack. Experiencing the house money effect, the gambler becomes more willing to place larger bets on riskier games or bets, believing that they are playing with “house money” and can afford to take bigger risks.
- Business Expansion: A successful small business owner decides to expand their operations after a particularly profitable quarter. They open multiple new locations without conducting thorough market research or financial analysis. The business owner is influenced by the house money effect, believing that their past success guarantees future success in the expansion.
Key takeaways:
- The house money effect is a cognitive bias where investors take higher risks on reinvested capital than they would on an initial investment.
- The house money effect was first described by researchers Richard Thaler and Eric Johnson in 1990. They described the effect in the context of a gambler in Las Vegas, who becomes more inclined to bet with house money after winning $100 on a slot machine.
- The house money effect occurs because of the distinction investors make between their own capital in the form of wages or savings and the capital gains made on an investment. Capital gains are considered more easily attained, so the investor is comfortable taking on more risk when investing them.
Key Highlights
- Definition of the House Money Effect: The house money effect is a cognitive bias in which investors are more likely to take higher risks with profits or gains from previous investments (reinvested capital) than they would with their initial investment. This effect is named after the idea that individuals may treat gains as if they were “house money” in a casino.
- Origin of the Term: The house money effect was first described in a 1990 study by Richard Thaler and Eric Johnson titled “Gambling with the House Money and Trying to Break Even: The Effects of Prior Outcomes on Risky Choice.” The study used the context of gambling to illustrate the phenomenon.
- Behavioral Explanation: The house money effect suggests that individuals are more willing to take risks with gains that were obtained easily or unexpectedly (such as from investments) compared to money that they had to work harder to earn. The perceived separation between the initial investment and the subsequent gains influences their risk-taking behavior.
- Investment Behavior and Windfall Trades: The house money effect is often observed among investors. It leads to scenarios where investors take on higher risks with their profits or windfall gains instead of cashing out or diversifying their investments. This behavior may lead to risky decisions and overconfidence.
- Demonstrating the Effect: Thaler and Johnson conducted a study to demonstrate the house money effect. They offered participants the opportunity to gamble with money they had just won and found that participants were more likely to take risks with the “house money” than with their own earned money.
- Examples of the House Money Effect:
- Stock Market: Investors reinvest profits from successful trades into riskier assets.
- Cryptocurrency: Traders make higher-risk investments after experiencing significant gains in the market.
- Real Estate: Property owners leverage property gains for additional investments.
- Startup Funding: Early success leads to riskier investments in startups.
- Gambling: Gamblers place larger bets after early wins.
- Business Expansion: Business owners expand without thorough analysis after profitable periods.
Connected Thinking Frameworks
Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking
Law of Unintended Consequences
Read Next: Biases, Bounded Rationality, Mandela Effect, Dunning-Kruger Effect, Lindy Effect, Crowding Out Effect, Bandwagon Effect.
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