Sociology, often described as a "people science," is the scientific study of individuals, groups, societies, and social behavior. As a discipline, sociology examines numerous aspects of social life. Unlike other social sciences, sociology is unique in its own approach and attentiveness to not only the individual dimension of human behavior but also the extent to which the social world may differently influence behaviors and life outcomes.

Perhaps the most central component of many contemporary sociologists' work and interests is the study of inequalities. Sociologists examine the numerous, conflicting, and multiple aspects of stratification in the world. The "Big Three" inequalities are those of race and ethnicity, social class, and gender. Recently, sociologists have become increasingly attentive to other dimensions of inequality, including sexuality, nation, and age, to name a few.

Finally, a growing segment of sociologists today participate in "public sociology" - an approach , as described by Buraway, that "trancends the academy" to "promote and inform public debate" about contemporary issues in the world. Sociologists in this vein tend to venture outside the ivory tower and use sociological knowledge and perpsectives to enact genuine change in the real world.