Which factor can negatively influence situational awareness?

Fatigue and stress are significant factors that can negatively influence situational awareness. When an individual is fatigued, their cognitive functions, including attention, perception, and decision-making abilities, can become impaired. This diminishes a person's capacity to recognize and process important environmental cues effectively. Similarly, stress can lead to an overwhelming sense of pressure, causing distractions that prevent a person from maintaining an overall awareness of their surroundings. Consequently, both fatigue and stress can result in a narrowed focus, where critical information might be overlooked, increasing the risk of errors and accidents in high-stakes situations.

In contrast, clear communication fosters a better understanding and sharing of information among team members, which enhances situational awareness. Concentration on tasks can be beneficial when well-focused, as it allows individuals to complete necessary actions; however, it can also lead to tunnel vision if taken to extremes without monitoring the larger context. Routine operations often lead to familiarity and confidence, which can support situational awareness, provided they don’t result in complacency or attention lapses. In this light, fatigue and stress stand out as particularly detrimental to an individual's ability to maintain awareness of their environment.