Final answer:
The amygdala and prefrontal cortex are involved in processing emotional responses and judging the degree of pain, with the amygdala attaching emotional values to memories and the prefrontal cortex modulating social behavior and decision-making. Option 1 is the answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Parts of the brain involved in processing emotional responses and judging the degree of pain include the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, making Option 1 the correct choice for this question. The amygdala is critical for processing emotions, especially fear and anxiety, and it contributes to attaching emotional value to our memories and learning processes. The prefrontal cortex participates in the cognitive aspects of pain processing, decision-making, and moderating social behavior, thus influencing the overall pain experience and emotional regulation.
The hippocampus is also involved in emotional processing, particularly in integrating emotional experiences with cognition. Structures such as the thalamus and the hypothalamus play roles in sensory processing and regulation of the body's homeostatic processes, respectively, and while they are part of the limbic system, they are not primarily responsible for judging the degree of pain in the way the amygdala and prefrontal cortex are. Increased amygdala activity is associated with learning to fear and is seen in mood disorders, further underlining its role in the emotional aspects of pain perception.