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'''Socionomics''' is a non-scientific theory invented by [[Robert Prechter|Robert R. Prechter, Jr]] in his self-published book ''Socionomics: The Science of History and Social Prediction'' (1999), and in ''Pioneering Studies In Socionomics'' (2003).
The theory attempts to explain the dynamics of collective human behavior. Its key hypothesis is that social actions and events do not cause trends in social mood, but rather, changes in social mood produce trend changes in social action. In other words, the unconscious human impulse to [[Herd#Human parallels|herd]] drives social mood trends, as evidenced by the tone and character of social action. This dynamic unfolds across all realms of social activity, including economic, financial, political and cultural.

A well-known practitioner of [[Ralph Nelson Elliott|R.N. Elliott's]] [[Elliott wave principle|Wave Principle]], Prechter says socionomics expands upon the "vast insight" of Elliott's work: "''If stock market trends reflect social mood trends, the emotions associated with those trends must have other manifestations. An examination of the major areas of social mood expression where data are available shows that they do, as popular cultural trends peak and trough coincidentally with the stock market...''"⏎
theory that explains the dynamics of collective human behavior. Its key hypothesis is that social actions and events do not cause trends in social mood, but rather, changes in social mood produce trend changes in social action. In other words, the unconscious human impulse to [[Herd#Human parallels|herd]] drives social mood trends, as evidenced by the tone and character of social action. This dynamic unfolds across all realms of social activity, including economic, financial, political and cultural.

The word "socionomics" was coined by [[Robert Prechter]], and explained in his book ''Socionomics: The Science of History and Social Prediction'' (1999). A well-known practitioner of [[Ralph Nelson Elliott|R.N. Elliott's]] [[Elliott wave principle|Wave Principle]], Prechter says socionomics expands upon the "vast insight" of Elliott's work: "''If stock market trends reflect social mood trends, the emotions associated with those trends must have other manifestations. An examination of the major areas of social mood expression where data are available shows that they do, as popular cultural trends peak and trough coincidentally with the stock market...''"<ref> Robert R. Prechter, Jr. ''Socionomics: The Science of History and Social Prediction'' (New Classics Library, 1999, P.O. Box 1618 Gainesville Georgia 30503), p. 237.</ref>


== Recognition of Socionomics ==
The counter-intuitive premise of socionomics has begun to draw attention from academics. Mathematician John Casti observed, "''Socionomics completely turns on its head the idea that events shape social mood. Since trends in social mood produce Elliott wave patterns, the mood itself must follow a definite pattern. And if that's true, it certainly cannot be the result of external events, which are random and don't follow set trends''." <ref>John Casti (31 August 2002), "I know what you'll do next summer". ''New Scientist'', p. 32.</ref>

Finance professor John Nofsinger noted, "''The optimism of rising social mood stimulates investment, hiring, and expansion. The emotions move to euphoria as social mood peaks. The peaking mood fosters risk seeking behavior and excesses. Consumers overextend themselves, banks extend generous credit terms, and businesses over-invest. This part of the cycle can be associated with stock market bubbles and corporate mis-behavior. As the euphoria wears out, social mood begins to decline. Pessimism takes over. Lenders recall loans, corporate scandals are revealed, investors sell stocks, and companies layoff employees. The declining mood eventually bottoms. Many firms and people have declared bankruptcy, corporate investment is low, and unemployment is high. This sets the stage for the next rise in social mood and the next business cycle''." <ref>John Nofsinger, ''Social Mood and Financial Economics''. ''Journal of Behavioral Finance'', vol. 6, no. 3, 2005 ([http://www.leaonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15427579jpfm0603_4?prevSearch=authorsfield%3A%28Nofsinger%2CJohn+R.%29  abstract here]). [http://zonecours.hec.ca/documents/H2006-1-640075.Texte19-30-253-00-E05-SocialMood...(2).pdf  PDF document here], pp. 36-37.</ref>

==Examples==
Below are a few examples of the difference in causal perspective between socionomics and conventional theories:

===Standard View (social action influences social mood)===
* Recession causes businessmen to be cautious.
* Talented leaders make the population happy.
(contracted; show full)

An alternative conclusion might be that the theory will gain more respect over time, once it has perhaps developed a reputation for consistent accuracy, or understood better.


==Notes==
<references/>⏎
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== References ==
* Robert R. Prechter, Jr. (2002). '' The Wave Principle of Human Social Behavior and the New Science of Socionomics'' (Reissue ed.).  New Classics Library. ISBN 0-93-275054-0 (paperbound: ISBN 0-93-275049-4).
* Robert R. Prechter, Jr. (2003). ''Pioneering Studies In Socionomics''.  New Classic Library.  ISBN 0-93-275056-7.

== See also ==
* [[Collective unconscious]]
* [[Elliott Wave Theory]]
* [[Groupthink]]
* [[Mass hysteria]]
* [[Pseudoscience]]
* [[Socionics]]

==External links==

* [http://www.socionomics.net/ The Socionomics Institute]
* [http://www.socionomics.org/ Socionomics Foundation]
* [http://www.sociotimes.org/
[[Category:Psychology]]
[[Category:Behavior]]
[[Category:Market trends]]
[[Category:Protoscience]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]