What aspect of cognitive psychology focuses on understanding personal and social changes throughout development?

The aspect of cognitive psychology that centers on understanding personal and social changes throughout development is psychosocial development. This area of study examines how individuals evolve emotionally and socially as they progress through various life stages. It encompasses the interplay between personal experiences and social influences, highlighting how relationships, societal expectations, and environmental factors shape an individual's development.

Psychosocial development is often associated with theorists like Erik Erikson, who proposed a series of stages emphasizing the conflicts and challenges that individuals face at different points in their lives. Understanding these dynamics helps in analyzing how personal identity and social relationships evolve over time.

Neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience primarily focus on the biological and neurological underpinnings of cognitive processes, rather than the broader changes relevant to personal and social development. Memory studies will delve into how we encode, store, and retrieve information, but they do not specifically address the social and personal transformations as one develops through life stages.