Behavioral finance: Tear down this wall

Photo: Getty Images

Did you know people are naturally inclined to walk in circles? And it’s not because one leg is longer than another. Research shows the same person will randomly choose a different direction to walk in a circle. Sometimes that person will walk clockwise; sometimes that same person will walk counter-clockwise. You can give someone the correct directions, but, if you blindfold that person, nature overrides those directions. 

Does this sound familiar? Retirement experts regularly advise savers to observe fairly simple and standard rules. Yet, http://www.benefitspro.com/2016/02/29/divide-between-401k-participants-and-sponsors-stud just as regularly ignore these common sense guidelines. Why do people freeze when it comes time to pull the trigger and follow the instructions professionals generally agree should be followed?