Final answer:
Gerontology is the study of age-related changes across various dimensions such as behavior, thinking, emotion, and personality, with social gerontology delving into the social aspects of aging.
Step-by-step explanation:
The field of gerontology is a scientific study of age-related changes in behavior, thinking, emotion, and personality. This multidisciplinary field covers various aspects of aging and the effects it has on society, including the study of biological, social, and psychological changes that occur as people grow older. Within gerontology, there is a subfield known as social gerontology which focuses on the sociological aspects of aging, such as mental and physical well-being and age-specific concerns like the process of dying.
Gerontologists work in diverse areas as medical and biological scientists, social scientists, counselors, and service providers for older adults. They also play a critical role in advocating for the needs and rights of the elderly population. This area of study is increasingly important as the global population ages, particularly in contexts like the "graying of the United States" due to the baby boomer generation.