Situation Awareness and Dynamic Performance Training Systems: Some Reflections on the Literature

Abstract

The majority of the literature on situation awareness is focused on its perceptual definition and modeling. In contrast, this presentation focuses on the importance of training simulation systems in increasing the potential for good situation awareness. Situation awareness is defined as an evaluative product based on expert performance criteria. A conventional information processing model is used to represent situation awareness as a generalized concept and modified for specific applications. Three salient factors affecting quality situation awareness are discussed: 1) high fidelity procedural training, 2) expert knowledge and experience, and 3) the strong indeterminates of attitude and emotional state. Additional issues are discussed, including: a developmental verses a gestalt framework for the perceptual process; information processing capacities; automaticity skills; traditional verses transactional training; the novice/expert relationship; expert and novice decision making; training device fidelity and ethnographic concerns; the dimension of unpredictability; inherent psychological abilities; and workload.