Behavioral economics

Psychology

Microeconomics

Programming language

Communication

Overconfidence effect

Social psychology

Economics

Anger

Investment decisions

Politics

Trait

Political science

Geography

Investment (military)

Affect (linguistics)

Computer science

Forestry

Actuarial science

Herding

Managerial Finance

Purpose This study aims to investigate the behavioural factors that affect individual investment decisions among Generation Y in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Five human behaviours such as trait anger, trait anxiety, overconfidence, herding factor and self-monitoring have been examined using a sample of 502 respondents. Findings The results reveal that trait anxiety and overconfidence are negatively related to investment decisions while self-monitoring is positively associated. Trait anger and herding behaviour do not significantly affect investment decision. The results also show that investment decision-making is significantly distinct when examined by gender, employment status and income allocation. Among these three variables, the result shows that only self-employed individuals and those in the 5–10 per cent income allocation group are marginally positive vis-à-vis investment decision-making. Originality/value The outcomes of this study will expand investors' knowledge about the financial decision-making process.

Generation Y investment decision: an analysis using behavioural factors