Examing the factors which shape social cognition (e.g., psychosis-like symptoms and emotional recognition) may help in understanding the precursors for later psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) and potentially aid in identifying at-risk individuals and populations. Aspects of the local neighbourhood - such as crime rates and the state of the built environment - may shape our social cognition and therefore be an important modifiable risk factor for the development of such thoughts and behaviours. For instance, levels of threat in the local environment (e.g., crime and antisocial behaviour) may increase the risk of developing paranoid symptoms, a precursor for schizophrenia.