situational

Situational is an adjective meaning pertaining to or dependent on a particular situation or set of circumstances. It describes conditions, decisions, or analyses that cannot be fully understood without reference to context, and contrasts with universal or absolute criteria. The term derives from Latin situatio, from situs meaning "position" or "place."

In everyday language, it is used to signal that outcomes may vary with different circumstances. In psychology and organizational studies, situational factors are variables that influence behavior and judgments, such as the environment, task requirements, or the presence of others.

The concept appears in several specialized fields. Situational awareness refers to the perception of environmental elements, potential hazards, and their future status. Situational ethics posits that moral judgments should be made based on the specifics of a situation rather than fixed laws. Situational leadership is a model that advocates adapting leadership style to the readiness level of followers. Situational judgment tests evaluate candidates' decision-making in plausible work scenarios. The terms situational irony and situational comedy describe literary and dramatic devices where outcomes are incongruent with expectations or circumstances, often leading to humor or critique.

Because it emphasizes context, the term is often used with qualifiers or paired with compound terms to indicate the relevancy of surrounding conditions. It is not a synonym for general or universal rules, and misapplication can overlook important contextual factors.