What is identified as the leading factor in loss of situational awareness?

Channelized attention is identified as the leading factor in loss of situational awareness because it refers to the tendency of individuals to focus intently on one task or stimulus while neglecting other important information in their environment. This narrow focus can lead to a reduced ability to perceive changes outside of that focus, which can be detrimental in dynamic situations where multiple factors must be monitored continuously.

In aviation and other high-stakes environments, channelized attention can result in missing critical cues that indicate changes in the situation, which may lead to errors or accidents. Maintaining a broader awareness of the environment is essential for ensuring safety and effective decision-making. This concept highlights the importance of training and strategies that encourage pilots and operators to remain aware of their surroundings, even while performing complex tasks.