What area of study focuses on the interrelationships between people and their environment?

The correct response focuses on environmental sociology, which examines the complex interactions between individuals, communities, and their natural environments. This area of study emphasizes how social structures, cultural practices, and individual behaviors impact the environment and, conversely, how environmental changes influence social dynamics. It recognizes that societal issues such as inequality, social justice, and policy decisions are deeply interconnected with environmental factors.

Urban ecology, while related, primarily concentrates on the relationships and interactions that occur within urban environments specifically, rather than the broader scope of human-environment interactions. Sociobiology explores biological bases for social behavior, focusing more on genetics and evolution rather than the environmental contexts. Ecological psychology investigates how individuals perceive and interact with their environments but does not explicitly encompass the complex societal factors that environmental sociology addresses.

By focusing on these interrelationships and the socio-environmental dynamics, environmental sociology provides a holistic understanding essential for addressing contemporary ecological challenges.