Sadly, posturing is often a great motivator for poorly thought-out decisions.

Pushing through with a wrong decision regardless of the end result would be a matter of losing self worth, I think. Apologizing is often felt as a position of weakness that opens up a vulnerability in a pretty much shoddy armour of fragile self worth and losing even that much might trigger an existential crisis that threatens the core of one's identity.

Another part might be us not being wired to naturally consider long-term effects, as it's usually a taught trait. So much of our emotional presence is rooted in the moment rather than several steps ahead. And a psychological danger is often resolved with an immediate and superficial response.

To become and remain what is considered as well adjusted is a difficult process that needs repeated efforts of introspection. And not many can or are willing to go through the process. So being respectful of one another is something to be admired because it's not something we can do by default. I'd say instinctual and often disrespectful responses are our usual default state instead.