Anchoring
The mind clings to the first number it sees, then judges everything else relative to it.
Canonical source: Tversky & Kahneman, 1974
Articles studying this principle
The $80K Confirmation Trap: Why Touching a Level Is Not the Same as Holding It
Bitcoin touched the $80K milestone, but the sharp rejection that followed exposed a behavioral trap: traders often confuse reaching a level with proving acceptance above it. A breakout is an event. Acceptance is a process.
Breakeven as Confirmation: When Relief Distorts Bitcoin Decisions
Bitcoin's recent price action presented a classic behavioral dilemma: after a significant drop, price returned near prior consolidation levels. This return often generates 'relief,' yet traders frequently misinterpret this emotional state as validation of their initial market view.
When Lower Highs Whisper: The Anchoring Bias Traders Miss.
Markets often reveal a change in character through small structural shifts long before a reversal becomes obvious. Traders miss those signals when they judge each candle separately, anchor to the previous high, and fail to recognize the sequence forming in front of them.
The Overconfidence Delusion: Why Intelligence Doesn't Protect You from Bad Decisions
Intelligence doesn't eliminate cognitive bias—it often disguises it. Overconfidence can lead even experienced investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals to underestimate risk, overestimate their knowledge, and mistake confidence for competence. Understanding this psychological trap is essential for better decisions in markets and beyond.