S5 is a model for later stages of critical reflection.
Critical reflection occurs when people think, talk, and write about issues important to them.
Jeff Belkora developed S5 as a model for arriving at decisions in the context of helping people think, talk, and write about medical treatment choices. The model also applies to choices in other domains, such as personal and professional decisions.
S5 refers to five sources of insight or guidance in arriving at a decision after critical reflection:
- Somatic
- Social
- Spiritual
- Soulful
- Scientific
Each of these sources will influence people's decisions and actions.
Being aware of these sources can help people communicate about them to arrive at clear, confident, and consensus-based decisions - or to surface necessary conflict.
