Diminishing returns: leisure and the sunk cost effect

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is a dearth of focus on the conditions that cause people to terminate participation in their formerly meaningful leisure activities. What is missing is an understanding of the psychological process that takes place when a leisure activity becomes less meaningful over time, yet participation is not immediately abandoned. What are the reasons people maintain involvement in an activity when it is no longer enjoyable? One explanation is the sunk cost effect. This critical commentary explores the conceptual application of the sunk cost effect to understanding the potential for decreasing commitment levels to a leisure activity, as demonstrated through the framework of enuring involvement.