The rapid urbanization and economic changes during the industrialization of the 1800s led early sociologists to believe that individual behaviors were solely a product of economic factors, disregarding the influence of political and social contexts.

During the 1800s, many people moved from rural areas to cities to find work in factories, which changed how they lived and interacted with each other. Early sociologists noticed that people's behaviors seemed to be driven mainly by their economic situations, like their jobs and income, and they thought this was the main reason for social changes. For example, a factory worker might behave differently than a farmer because their daily life and challenges were so different. However, this view overlooked how politics and social relationships also shaped people's lives, like how laws or community ties could influence their behavior. Understanding these different factors is important, as it helps us see the bigger picture of how society works.