Somatic Situation Awareness: A model for SA acquisition under imminent threat and severe time stress

Abstract

Classical models of Situation Awareness (SA) describe it as a process involving self-agency, or as rooted in [externally directed] consciousness operating in a perceptual cycle. These models are robust for dynamic situations where events unfold gradually in the temporal dimension at a rate that is compatible with the ability of the human agent to process information, and where this information processing is largely unaffected by eventinduced [aversive] emotional arousal. A model for SA acquisition for situations that express rapid dynamics for a limited duration, which are non-prototypical in nature, and involve high stakes, including danger-induced emotional arousal, does not exist. These types of situations are typically encountered in mission critical domains such as law enforcement, firefighting, aviation, combat, etc. In these situations, the traditional models of SA predicated on conscious perception of situation elements and processing of information may not be appropriate, because the [slow] speed and [high] bandwidth of consciousness are suboptimal for the occasion, thus preventing the agent from realizing successful outcomes. Furthermore, unconsciousness, which has largely been ignored by SA theorists, plays a critical role in acquiring SA under these circumstances. This paper presents a model for SA, referred to as Somatic Situation Awareness (SSA), for situations such as those described above. The SSA model shows that the incorporation of two key findings from psychology and neurosciences, unconscious or attentiondriven orientation, and somatosensory processes, respectively, can adequately explain situation assessment for these special instances. In terms of the SA acquisition taxonomy, the aforesaid processes have been classified as belonging to the pre-cognitive phase. Next, the paper shows how this pre-cognitive phase of SA acquisition may influence the classical SA framework. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of SSA with regards to human-system design, computer cognition, technology and training.