A study by the University of Essex reveals that men are more susceptible than women to let emotional news influence their financial risk-taking behaviors, challenging traditional gender stereotypes. The research involved 186 participants who watched emotional news stories and subsequently made financial decisions with real money. Findings indicated that exposure to negative emotional news led men to avoid financial risks, while women’s decisions remained largely unaffected. According to lead researcher Dr. Nikhil Masters, this suggests that men may integrate emotions from one context into unrelated financial decisions, contrasting with women who generally manage emotional influences more effectively. These insights underscore the importance of recognizing emotional carryover effects, particularly following impactful events, which may be crucial when making significant financial commitments, such as purchasing a home or large investments. The study highlights the need for a cooling-off period post-emotional experiences to mitigate impulsive financial decisions. With ongoing research into why only men are significantly affected by emotional news, the findings could reshape financial advice and enhance understanding of decision-making across genders. The study collaborated with experts from the University of Nottingham and Bournemouth University, indicating that higher emotional intelligence in women may account for their resistance to emotional influences in financial decisions.
