Animal Spirits The Key Force Behind Economics Explained
3983 reads · Last updated: December 3, 2025
"Animal Spirits" is a term in economics first introduced by British economist John Maynard Keynes in his 1936 book, "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money." Keynes used this term to describe the impact of human emotions on economic decision-making, particularly in the realms of investment and consumption.In economics, animal spirits refer to the confidence, emotions, and psychological states of consumers and investors, which influence their economic behaviors. For example, when consumer and investor confidence is high, they are more likely to spend and invest, thus driving economic growth. Conversely, when confidence is low, they may cut back on spending and investment, leading to economic slowdown or recession.
