Market Psychology

Definition ∞ Market psychology pertains to the collective emotional and cognitive behaviors of participants within a financial marketplace, significantly influencing asset prices and trading patterns. It encompasses factors such as fear, greed, herd mentality, and sentiment, which can often override purely rational economic principles. Understanding these psychological drivers is key to interpreting market movements.
Context ∞ Market psychology is a constant subject of analysis in cryptocurrency news, especially during periods of high volatility or significant price discovery. Reports frequently dissect investor sentiment, analyze social media trends, and examine the impact of news events on collective behavior. Discussions often revolve around identifying prevailing psychological states, such as euphoria or panic, and their likely effects on asset valuations.