Psychology of market cycles: an investor's emotional map

The stock market is not just graphs and numbers – it's mainly emotions.

By the SpyStocks desk · 1y ago · 3 min read

This chart, called "Psychology of Market Cycles," is nothing less than an emotional map of the average investor!

Imagine you're on an emotional roller coaster – that's exactly what happens in the stock market. 🎢

Let's go step by step: ⬇️

1. Disbelief – "This won't really happen"

- The market starts to rise. 📈 Skeptical investors say: "This rally is worthless. It's like before – it will crash again." ⚠️

But then something changes...

2. Hope – "Maybe after all?" 🙏

- The gains continue. 🔼 People start to think that maybe, just maybe, this time it's really different. "A real recovery?" 👀

3. Optimism – "There's an opportunity here!" 🔥

- No longer just hope – now there's excitement. People start investing because they are sure the market is going up. "The start of a serious rally!" ☄️

4. Belief – "Now is the time to invest!" 📊

- Confidence rises. 🔝 Everyone enters the market, sure it will last forever. "This is the time to go all in."

5. Thrill – "I'm a genius!" 🥸

- Investments are soaring. Investors feel like champions. "I bought on margin – come on everyone, buy!"

Caution! This is a dangerous moment... ⚠️

6. Euphoria – "I'm rich!" 🤑

- The top of the top. Everyone feels like investment gods. "I'm a genius. We're all getting rich!"

But... this is exactly where the end begins. ⛔️

7. Complacency – "Just a small correction" 🕯

- The declines begin, but no one is worried. "It's a temporary correction. We'll continue to rise soon." 🌥

8. Anxiety – "Wait, what's happening here?" 🚗

- The declines don't end. Fear begins. "Why am I getting margin calls?

This decline is lasting too long..."

9. Denial – "This too shall pass" 🤕

- Investors refuse to sell. "The companies I invested in are excellent, they'll come back up!"

10. Panic – "I have to get out!" 🏎

Fear takes over. ⚠️ Everyone is selling. "Everyone is selling! I have to escape!"

11. Capitulation 🚩 – "I'm out of money" Investors sell out of despair. 🛍 "I'm completely out of the market. I can't afford any more losses."

12. Anger 🧨 – "It's all the government's fault!" (Trump?👀) Anger erupts. They look for culprits. "Who is shorting the market? How did the government let this happen?" ☄️

  • Depression ✋
  • "I lost everything"

Emotional and financial low. "I lost my pension. How will we pay for all this? I'm an idiot." 🦸‍♂️

  • Disbelief 🤜
  • "It can't be happening again..."

The market starts to rise again, but no one believes it anymore. ❗️ "A sucker's rally. It's not real..." And this is exactly when the cycle begins anew. 🏁

What's the fascinating conclusion? ℹ️ The stock market is not just graphs and numbers – it's mainly emotions. 👍

Knowing how to identify which stage you are in can be the key to truly smart investments. 📈

Because sometimes, what you feel – is exactly what everyone else feels. 📇

And when everyone feels the same way – that's the time to think differently. 👑

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