Final answer:
Social rejection triggers neural pathways involved in d) physical pain, with the amygdala playing a significant role in emotional processing similar to that of physical discomfort.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social rejection activates the same neural circuitry that is involved in physical pain. Research has shown that the amygdala, a key structure in the brain's emotional circuit, plays an important role in processing emotional information and can influence our feelings of fear, anxiety, and social pain. The amygdala's activation is similar during experiences of social rejection and physical pain, showcasing the brain's overlapping systems for emotional and physical distress. This is part of our biology with roots in survival; while ancient threats were predominantly physical, modern psychological threats can activate similar stress responses. Emotional learning, such as associating certain experiences with fear or comfort, can be influenced by context, as seen in animal studies where maternal presence affected how rat pups responded to potentially fearful stimuli.