Managed Funds Types of Equity and Derivatives Investing

Hey All

I was just wondering how someone becomes a certain type of investor. I'm sure it's not usually a conscious decision, but if you were going to consciously consider it, what do you think is the workflow of making the decision?

For example, you may ask yourself a series of questions based on:

- outlook: long , medium or short-term
- risk profile: medium or low
- objectives: balance between income and growth
- automation: low, medium or high
- knowledge: advanced, intermediate, novice
- personality: balance between fundamental and technical
- start-up cap: amount willing to commit to strategy

But... how do the answers lead to TA, or FX or CFDs or buy-and-hold? Most people sit on the fence and say everything has its benefits, but I bet one combination of instruments, strategies, etc has produced higher return, lower risk, more automation and less capital than the others. Hmmm...

Anyway, just thinking aloud; any thoughts.