Internal and External Crime Hot Spots: From Neural to Micro-Geographical Networks

Abstract

AbstractAntisocial behaviour arises from a complex interplay of innate and environmental factors, with the brain’s adaptability to shifting environmental demands playing a pivotal role. An important but scantly studied environmental factor – micro-geographic hot spots of crime – covers a broad array of problems that produce frequent triggers for antisocial behaviour. Despite the established influence of neural substrates and various environmental factors on antisocial behaviour, the impact of residing in high-risk, violent crime hot spots in Israel, as well as other global locales, remains understudied. This paper aims to elucidate the intricate interplay between neurobiological mechanisms and crime hot spots in the context of antisocial behaviour. Its objectives are twofold: first, to acquaint researchers with the existing literature on the subject; and second, to catalyse further research and robust discourse in this domain. The article commences by reviewing the behavioural manifestations of antisocial tendencies within the framework of crime hot spots. Subsequently, it delves into the influence of crime hot spots on neurocognitive substrates, particularly emphasizing their impact on developmental trajectories associated with antisocial tendencies and the expression of antisocial behaviours. In closing, the paper offers implications and conclusions pertinent to crime hot spots in Israel.