imhaps_

Patrick H. DeLeon was born. DeLeon, a clinical and forensic psychologist, He received APA Distinguished Professional Contribution Award, 1986 and 1989. APA President, 2000.

Psychologically, it's driven by the desire to avoid feeling like the previous investment was wasted.
Instead of focusing on what's best for the future, people focus on past costs, which cannot be recovered (the "sunk cost").