Final answer:
The sociologist Émile Durkheim is renowned for his interest in understanding the underlying reasons behind individual behavior, asserting the influence of social facts and norms. C. Wright Mills and Max Weber also contributed significantly to this field, offering deeper insights into the relationship between individual actions and broader social forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sociologist most interested in understanding why each of us behaves the way we do is arguably Émile Durkheim, one of the principal architects of modern social science and the father of sociology. Durkheim's theory posits that social facts, norms, values, and structures inherent in society, greatly influence individual behavior. Additionally, C. Wright Mills introduced the concept of the sociological imagination, which urges us to connect individual experiences and societal relationships. Another key figure, Max Weber, provided insights into how social systems and institutions impact individual actions, particularly through his work examining how rationalization and bureaucracy shape behavior.
Sociologists also engage with the idea that personal agency plays a role in how we react in different social settings, yet they recognize that societal pressures and cultural patterns exert influence on our choices. For instance, attending a music concert might elicit different behaviors among attendees, but all these behaviors can be seen as responses to the shared cultural context of the event. When studying patterns of behavior, sociologists aim to identify general trends, understanding that while individuals have personal choices, these choices are often constrained or guided by the larger social forces at play.