The actions of the four women in “Set It Off” can be examined via social process theories, which explain criminality based on social interactions and relationships. Each of their motives corresponds to certain theories that give a hint as to their respective decisions.

Social learning theory best explains Stony’s engagement in bank robbery, which postulates that behaviors are learned through interactions and observations of others. This theory emphasizes the process of imitation, reinforcement, and modeling. The close association of Stony with Frankie, Cleo, and T.T. exposes her to attitudes and behaviors that normalize crime as a survival strategy. The group’s collective experiences of systemic oppression solidify a common narrative that robbery is a solution to their economic and emotional hardships. The most poignant scene, showing the application of social learning theory in Stony’s actions, is when the girls plan their first robbery. In this scene, Stony’s reluctance is set off by Frankie’s decisiveness and Cleo’s excitement, which illustrates peer pressure on her decision. With the group justifying everything they do as being a necessity to survive, Stony internalizes these justifications and starts to see crime as an appropriate option given her desperate situation.

Cleo’s motivations align similarly with social learning theory. The exposure to a community where crime is normalized as a response to systemic challenges, along with her loyalty to the group, drives her behavior. Social learning theory underlines the role of peer reinforcement in shaping Cleo’s actions, as the support of her friends and shared goals strengthen her commitment to the heists. One central scene that illustrates this dynamic is Cleo’s role as the getaway driver for their first robbery. It shows how far she is willing to go to take risks for the group, influenced by her associates and her perception of crime as a necessary act. In addition, the bold personality and firmness of Cleo are underlined by her interactions with the group, further showing how social dynamics and shared experiences mold her criminal behavior.

Social control theory, focused on the weakening of societal bonds that typically deter deviant behavior, would be most useful in describing Frankie’s path into crime. Social control encompasses four major elements: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. The unjust firing of Frankie cuts the bonds of her attachment to conventional institutions and burdens her belief in the equity of a system. Consequently, her conventional bonds within society break down, and she becomes susceptible to deviant influences. One of the most pivotal moments that reveals the disintegration of Frankie’s conventional bonds in society is when she loses her job due to her compliance with robbers during a bank heist. This action annihilates her bond to legitimate employment and creates alienation. Her growing distrust of societal structures, coupled with the emotional support she receives from the group, compels her to join the robberies. Scenes of Frankie assuming leadership in the group emphasize how her alienation from societal controls fosters her deviant behavior.

The involvement of T.T. in the robberies also corresponds with social control theory. The fact that she has been reluctant initially denotes partial remaining bonds within society: her attachment to her child. The loss of custody is a critical breakdown within these bonds, which leave the individual with nothing much to lose. Social control theory demonstrates that when such a loss reduces one’s conformity to societal standards, criminal behavior will surface for the first time as an afterthought. One of the important scenes which reveals this transition is when T.T., out of desperation and because she had lost custody of her child due to unsafe living conditions, joins the group. Her desperation and financial struggles underscore the impact of weakened societal ties on her decision-making. T.T.’s actions during the robberies, driven by her desire to improve her circumstances and regain custody, highlight how personal and societal disconnections contribute to deviance.

These analyses delineate how the social environments and interactions of the women influence their actions. Through the application of detailed aspects of social learning and social control theories, it is clear that Stony and Cleo base their behaviors on peer dynamics and learned behaviors, while Frankie and T.T. make their decisions based on the breakdown of societal bonds and attachment. The interplay of these theories with specific scenes from the film gives a comprehensive insight into the characters’ motivations and environmental factors that guide their choices.