Final answer:
Sociology is a social science discipline that studies human society and social behavior, focusing on the interactions between individuals, groups, and institutions to understand social forces and cultural patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sociology is the discipline that focuses on the study of human society and social behavior. It is a multifaceted field that seeks to understand the complex interactions between individuals, groups, institutions, and societies. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts.
Social interaction and the role of social forces are of particular interest in sociology, which helps to identify cultural patterns and observe how these influence various aspects of life, including individuals and groups. The discipline is not just theoretical; it also involves applying findings to address and understand real-world issues.
Sociology covers a range of topics, from the analysis of short-lived daily interactions to the study of large-scale social processes. While political science may focus more specifically on the study of political systems, sociology provides a broader look at how society at large shapes, and is shaped by, politics and economic systems. The two disciplines share common ground in understanding the behavior of societies and the functioning of social institutions.