Sociology is the study of society, social structures, institutions, and interactions among individuals within these structures. It examines the ways in which society shapes people's behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes, as well as how individuals contribute to the construction and maintenance of social institutions. Sociology uses a variety of research methods, including surveys, interviews, observations, and statistical analysis, to examine social phenomena and patterns. Key areas of study within sociology include inequality, social stratification, culture, social movements, and social change. Overall, sociology seeks to understand and analyze the complex dynamics of human societies and the ways in which individuals and groups interact within them.