http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/13/the-truth-wears-off
... The problem of selective reporting is rooted in a fundamental cognitive flaw, which is that we like proving ourselves right and hate being wrong. It feels good to validate a hypothesis, Ioannidis said. It feels even better when youve got a financial interest in the idea or your career depends upon it. And thats why, even after a claim has been systematically disprovenhe cites, for instance, the early work on hormone replacement therapy, or claims involving various vitaminsyou still see some stubborn researchers citing the first few studies that show a strong effect. They really want to believe that its true.