Final answer:
The central idea of the text is that people often have positive brain reactions when engaging in safe but scary experiences, highlighting the interplay between fear, physiological responses, and cognitive interpretation. The correct option is D. Many people who willingly engage in scary experiences in safe settings experience positive reactions in their brains.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that identifies the central idea of the text is many people who willingly engage in scary experiences in safe settings experience positive reactions in their brains. The text explores the complex relationship between physiological arousal, emotional experiences, and cognition.
It delves into various scientific perspectives, including the James-Lange theory's focus on physiological changes in emotional experiences, the role of the amygdala and limbic system in processing fear, and the significance of cognitive interpretation of emotional arousal by Schachter and Singer.