Final answer:
The captain of the football team is least likely to be targeted for bullying due to elevated social status and leadership qualities, which are protective factors in a school setting.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding which adolescent is least likely to be targeted for bullying requires consideration of how peer dynamics and social hierarchies operate within a school setting. Among the options provided, d. the captain of the football team is typically least likely to be targeted for bullying. This is because sports captains often have elevated social status and are looked up to by their peers, granting them a form of protection against bullying behaviors. Captains of sports teams like football, which is a high-profile activity in many schools, usually possess qualities such as leadership, popularity, and athleticism that can serve as protective factors against being bullied.