Can humans truly control themselves? The brain—more precisely, the neocortex—can it actually control its own will just like the self-consciousness that resides within?
Most people would think so. If the brain were merely a slave to the body, then where would the "self" reside?
However, early 20th century psychologists might have given the complete opposite answer. In that era, there was a theory jokingly referred to as the "drool and grumble theory." Thirst drives animals to drink, hunger compels them to eat. Proponents of this theory believed that the inherent logic of "drool and grumble"—namely, physiological responses generating an "inner driving force," which supplied the primary impetus for all psychological activities—was sufficient to explain the behaviors and activities of all higher animals, including humans.
