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Evaluated a cross-validation approach for cluster analyses through two simulation studies. Although on the average replication indices peaked in the region of the true number of clusters, choosing the number of clusters by maximum replication results in a negatively biased estimate. Using a "scree test" to attenuate this bias is discussed. (SLD)

Two contrasting visions of heroism and democracy have evolved side by side. An 'exclusive' vision presents democracy as involving heroic leadership by exceptional individuals along with relatively limited volunteer participation by ordinary citizens. This 'exclusive' vision has been supported by the personalization of politics, as well as the increased importance of elite leaders in an era of candidate-centered democracy. In contrast, an 'inclusive' vision depicts heroism as integral to everyday life for ordinary people, and widespread volunteer participation in social life as normative in all democracies. In a study we conducted that involved a nationally representative sample of 4,000 adults in the United States, about a third reported considerable volunteering, and one out of five reported having carried out a heroic act. A detailed analysis of types of volunteering and heroism supports an inclusive vision of heroism and democracy. However, a number of trends associated with globalization and technology suggest increasing challenges to this inclusive vision. Keywords Heroic imagination * Democracy and psychology * Minority-majority differences, Democracy is no single melody, but a mix of possible conventions and rules. Anderson (2000, p. 20) Huntington (1991, 2009) identified three major waves of democratization in the modern world, [...]

Provider profiling is a growing practice in organizations that supply or pay for health care, and escalating health care costs are likely to accelerate this trend. First developed for general medical settings, profiling systems now challenge practicing psychologists to meet ostensibly objective, scientific standards of care. The most advanced approaches compare providers on a 'level playing field' statistically adjusted for variations in the 'illness burden' of their patients. Profiling psychological practice, however, requires specialized new tools and more sophisticated analytical methods than have typically been used. This article provides a practical overview of provider profiling, emphasizing related developments in health care policy that are perhaps less familiar to practicing psychologists. Potential pitfalls confronting professional psychology are discussed, and points for advocacy are suggested.

A Monte Carlo study evaluated the effectiveness of three rules of classifying objects into clusters: nearest neighbor classification; nearest centroid assignment; and quadratic discriminant analysis. Results suggest that the nearest neighbor rule is a useful tool for assessing the validity of the clustering procedure of J. H. Ward (1963). (SLD)

The article focuses on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack as an opportunity bubble for the U.S. because of its effect in the course of subsequent events. It mentions that one of the attributes of the said terrorist attack that make it as such is the robust and pervasive trends in social behavior associated with the said insurgency. It also cites the presence of many alternatives that are associated with the terrorist attack.

Profiles of 21 self-reported depression symptoms from 196 recently bereaved elders (mean age = 67.70 years) were compared with those of 145 comparison control participants (mean age = 70.01). Responses from bereaved individuals were recorded approximately 2 months following the loss of their spouse. Comparison participants were married or, if single, had not lost a spouse to death or divorce in the previous 5 years. Results were consistent with the literature concerning normative bereavement reactions; that is, although bereaved people reported several features associated with depression, the likelihood of selfdeprecatory cognitions was no greater among them than among control participants. Bereaved individuals were significantly more likely to report heightened dysphoria, dissatisfaction, and somatic disturbances typical of depression, even when variations in age, sex, number of years married, and educational and occupational status were taken into account. Differentiation of bereaved/control participants on some dysphoric features was dependent on the number of years married. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]