Final answer:
The general resistance to change stemming from loss aversion is a behavioral economic theory suggesting that the displeasure from losses outweighs the pleasure from gains by about 2.25 times, which affects decision-making in areas such as investing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general resistance to change, often stemming from loss aversion, is a concept in behavioral economics where individuals exhibit a preference for avoiding losses rather than acquiring equivalent gains. This is a psychological phenomenon where the discomfort associated with losing something, such as money, is generally much greater than the pleasure associated with gaining the same amount. For instance, the research by economists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky showed that a $1 loss affects us approximately 2.25 times more negatively than a $1 gain benefits us. This concept has important implications, particularly in the realm of investing, where people might react more strongly to financial losses than gains, leading to what is often perceived as irrational behavior in the stock market.