Final answer:
Behaviorism asserts that one should not focus on internal brain processes but on observable behavior and its modifications through conditioning. It views human behavior as largely influenced by environmental stimuli and reinforcement, rather than innate instincts or thought processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the basic ideas of behaviorism is that one should not discuss the "processing" occurring inside the brain. Behaviorists focus on observable behaviors rather than internal thought processes. They posit that all human behavior can be understood through conditioning and environmental influences without the need to consider the mind as distinct from the brain. Behaviorism holds that behavior is a result of stimulus-response interactions and can be modified through reinforcement. According to this view, humans, like other animals, are shaped by their interactions with their environment and learn behaviors through experiences of reward and punishment.
Moreover, behaviorism suggests that instinctual behaviors are rare in humans, with most behavior being acquired through learning and conditioning. Innate behaviors, such as reflexes in infants, are not the focus; instead, behaviorism studies how behaviors are acquired and modified over time. Behaviorism also implies determinism in human actions, where every action is a result of prior conditions and genetic factors.
The response to this student's question then is that behaviorism holds that internal processes, such as thoughts or emotions, should not be the concern of psychological study but instead the focus should be on observable behavior and its modification through conditioning.