Particle swarm optimised analysis of investment decision

A portfolio forecasting model based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with automatic factor scaling is proposed in this Article to effectively improve the accuracy of related analysis model in portfolio application. Firstly, the portfolio problem is analyzed and a hybrid constraint portfolio model is obtained by improving portfolio model with consideration of general portfolio model and combination of market value constraint and upper bound constraint according to Markowitz's theory. Secondly, PSO algorithm is introduced during analysis on portfolio model and solution is found with the hybrid constraint portfolio model of PSO on portfolio. In addition, in order to further improve the performance of PSO in model solution, automatic factor scaling is used for adaptive learning on parameters associated with PSO, to improve convergence of the algorithm. At last, simulation experiments show that the algorithm proposed can obtain a more ideal investment portfolio scheme, thereby reducing investment risks and obtaining greater investment returns.     

Towards the Transformation Age

This article explores the emergence, systematization, and maturation of a transformation economy as the information economy eventually wanes in prominence. The author speculates as to the principles, patterns, and possibilities of this emerging economic sphere and some ways that it will retool and revision previous economic spheres. He points to the most probable arenas for wealth concentration as the transformation economy moves from fragmentation to systematization. Finally, he explores the shift from an accumulation paradigm of money to a stewardship paradigm, which those who profit from the soul economy will increasingly be called to exemplify.     

Rater Wealth Predicts Perceptions of Outgroup Competence

National income has a pervasive influence on the perception of ingroup stereotypes, with high status and wealthy targets perceived as more competent. In two studies we investigated the degree to which economic wealth of raters related to perceptions of outgroup competence. Raters’ economic wealth predicted trait ratings when (1) raters in 48 other cultures rated Americans’ competence and (2) Mexican Americans rated Anglo Americans’ competence. Rater wealth also predicted ratings of interpersonal warmth on the culture level. In conclusion, raters’ economic wealth, either nationally or individually, is significantly associated with perception of outgroup members, supporting the notion that ingroup conditions or stereotypes function as frames of reference in evaluating outgroup traits.     

Extreme response style as a cultural response to climato‐economic deprivation

We investigated the effects of climato‐economic harshness on extreme response style. Climato‐economic theorising postulates that a more threatening climate in poorer countries, in contrast to countries with a more comforting climate and richer countries with a more challenging climate, triggers intolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty avoidance inherent to conservatism, in‐group favouritism and autocracy. Scores of extreme response style at country level, a proxy of this cluster of cultural characteristics, were extracted from students' responses in the Programme for International Student Assessment to test the hypothesis. In a series of hierarchical regression analysis across 64 countries, cold demands, heat demands and GDP per capita showed a highly significant interaction effect on extreme response style, predicting in total 30.7% of the variance. Extreme response style was highest in poorer countries with higher climatic demands, and lowest in richer countries with lower climate demands. Implications are discussed.     

IQ and the wealth of states

In IQ and the Wealth of Nations (2002), Lynn and Vanhanen estimate the mean IQs of 185 nations and demonstrate that national IQs strongly correlate with the macroeconomic performance of the nations, explaining about half of the variance in GDP per capita. I seek to replicate Lynn and Vanhanen's results across states within the United States. I first estimate “state IQs” from the SAT data, and show that the state IQs correlate moderately with the economic performance of the states, explaining about a quarter of the variance in GSP (gross state product) per capita.     

Political support for self-determination,wealth, and national subjective well-being

The present paper explored the relation of wealth and support for self-determination to national subjective well-being (SWB). Support for self-determination was considered from both a political and cultural values standpoint. The results confirmed associations between wealth, support for self-determination, and well-being in a large sample of countries. Importantly, political and cultural value supports for self-determination remained significantly associated with national well-being (as measured by happiness reports and life expectancy) even after controlling for national differences in wealth.

The abundance effect: Unethical behavior in the presence of wealth

Three laboratory studies investigated the hypothesis that the presence of wealth may influence people’s propensity to engage in unethical behavior for financial gain. In the experiments, participants were given the opportunity to cheat by overstating their performance on an anagram task. In each study, one group was stimulated by the visible proximity of monetary wealth. We found that the presence of abundant wealth led to more frequent cheating than an environment of scarcity. Our experiments also investigated the potential mechanisms behind this effect. The results showed that the presence of abundant wealth provoked feelings of envy toward wealthy others that, in turn, led to unethical behavior. Our findings offer insights into when and why people engage in unethical behavior.