What is sociology primarily concerned with?

Sociology is primarily concerned with the study of society, social relationships, and social institutions. This field examines how individuals' behaviors and interactions are influenced by larger social structures and cultural norms. By focusing on social phenomena, sociology aims to understand how societies function, how relationships are formed and maintained, and how institutions like family, education, religion, and government operate and impact individuals and groups within them.

Through various methods—such as surveys, interviews, and observational studies—sociologists gather data that helps explain social dynamics and change. Issues like inequality, social stratification, group behavior, and socialization are central to sociological inquiry, providing insights into how various factors contribute to societal functioning and individual experiences within those frameworks. The holistic nature of this study distinguishes sociology from more narrow fields of inquiry that might focus solely on aspects such as economics, individual psychology, or animal behavior.