The SORC Model of Case Conceptualization One way to utilize the behavioral assessments that you have been conducting with your clients to inform case conceptualization is by using the SORC model Recall from the slides that the SORC model is as follows: In this model, Stimuli (S) represents classes of stimuli that occur immediately before your client engages in a certain class of problematic behaviors These are stimuli that increase the probability of your client engaging in this class of problematic behaviors Organism factors represent vulnerability factors or antecedents that occur inside the skin, which serve to increase the probability that your client will engage in problematic behaviors Response represents a class of problematic behaviors Consequence represents stimuli that occur immediately after your client engages in problematic behaviors – these might reinforce the problematic behavior, and thus increase the likelihood of your client engaging in these behaviors The SORC model can either serve as an alternative to the ABCs you learned about in the last module or as a way of combining several problematic behaviors into classes of behaviors (i.e impulsive, destructive behaviors as a class of behaviors may all have similar types of triggers and consequences In this case, it might help to create a broader conceptualization of these behaviors.) Example: SORC Model of Case Conceptualization Let us consider Mary Mary is a new patient, who has come to see you because she has been feeling so depressed and anxious that she has started to spend days at a time in bed She reports that she feels withdrawn from her children, which is very distressing to her Additionally, she is falling behind in work because she cannot bring herself to face criticism from her boss You have done a number of behavioral analyses on these individual behaviors, and you have started to develop some hypotheses regarding the stimuli, organism factors, and consequences surrounding her avoidance/withdrawal behaviors You work with Mary to develop the following case conceptualization using the SORC model: Stimuli: what triggers her avoidance behaviors? Mary tends to have the impulse to withdraw when she has interpersonal interactions that make her feel as though she has failed in some way Organism factors: What is she feeling? In response to these triggers, Mary reports feeling a lot of shame, embarrassment, and sadness She reports thinking that she will never be good enough for the people in her life This tends to happen more intensely when Mary has not been engaging in behaviors that promote her having strong self-esteem (specifically: exercise, regular phone calls with family, healthy eating) Response: How does she respond to the stimuli? She withdraws socially and spends time alone in her bedroom Consequence: What are the consequences of her response behaviors? Immediately, she feels numb to her emotions because she distracts herself with TV However, when she does emerge, she has intense guilt and feels as though she is even further from living in line with her values Now, please use the SORC model to help conceptualize the problematic behaviors of one of your own clients: Stimuli: Organism factors: Response: Consequence: ...Example: SORC Model of Case Conceptualization Let us consider Mary Mary is a new patient, who has come to see you... her avoidance/withdrawal behaviors You work with Mary to develop the following case conceptualization using the SORC model: Stimuli: what triggers her avoidance behaviors? Mary tends to have the... further from living in line with her values Now, please use the SORC model to help conceptualize the problematic behaviors of one of your own clients: Stimuli: Organism factors: Response: Consequence: