Tuhina Pal is a student at Franklin High School in the United States. Her interests in entrepreneurship, business, and economics have inspired her to explore how people make decisions in financial markets. Through DECA and her research experience at CCIR Academy, she has developed an understanding of business strategy and behavioural finance.
Exploring Entrepreneurship Through DECA
Tuhina has always been passionate about entrepreneurship. Through DECA, she explored business, strategic planning, and economics by developing a project with a community-focused goal.
Her project aimed to support a local food pantry while addressing labour retention challenges faced by businesses. This experience allowed her to consider how business strategies can respond to both organisational needs and community concerns.
Furthermore, it introduced her to the practical challenges of developing solutions that balance business objectives with social impact.
Researching Cognitive Biases in Financial Decision-Making
At CCIR Academy, Tuhina conducted research titled “The Impact of Biases and Heuristics in Decision-Making in the Context of Capital Markets.”
Her study examines how cognitive biases influence financial decisions. Specifically, she explores how investors, traders, and analysts use mental shortcuts when evaluating financial information. Although these shortcuts can simplify complex decisions, they can also lead to irrational or suboptimal choices.
The research focuses on several important cognitive biases, including:
Overconfidence: How excessive confidence can affect financial judgments and investment decisions.
Loss aversion: How the fear of losses can influence risk-taking and investment choices.
Herd behaviour: How following the actions of others can shape individual decisions in financial markets.
Through these areas, Tuhina analyses how cognitive biases affect market trends, asset pricing, and investment strategies. Her research also explores how understanding these patterns can help improve financial decision-making and risk assessment.
Learning Through Research Mentorship
Tuhina recently shared her research experience in a CCIR Student Spotlights episode. During the discussion, she reflected on her research journey, her mentor’s guidance, and the key lessons she gained throughout the process.
The experience provided an opportunity to discuss how academic mentorship supports students as they explore complex topics. It also allowed Tuhina to reflect on the research process and the value of applying economic and psychological concepts to real-world financial questions.
Connecting Entrepreneurship and Behavioural Finance
Tuhina’s experiences demonstrate her interest in understanding how people and organisations make decisions. Through DECA, she explored entrepreneurship and business strategy. Meanwhile, her CCIR research allowed her to examine the psychological factors influencing financial markets.
By connecting business concepts with behavioural finance, Tuhina continues to develop her understanding of economics and decision-making. Her work highlights the value of combining analytical thinking with practical business perspectives.
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