Financial risk perceptions: a consciousness perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implications of human consciousness relative to financial risk perceptions. Design/methodology/approach – After conceptually identifying that risk perceptions qualify as a Qualia, survey data are gathered from investment experts to clarify the implications. Findings – Financial risk perceptions are Qualia and as such should have a strong affective influence on risk perceptions. This suggests that aggregate market measures of financial risk may be difficult to obtain and utilize. Research limitations/implications – Sample size could be larger and more complete implications need to be investigated. Sample unlikely to exhibit significant bias. Practical implications – Going to be difficult to devise aggregate measures of financial risk across market participants. Social implications – Risk is going to be heavily affective in orientation and interpersonal Trust is a financial risk attribute. Originality/value – Is quite original as the author has never seen another paper look to the implications of consciousness for financial risk perceptions or even Trust. Breaks new ground!