Slips-of-the-tongue, also known as Freudian slips or parapraxes, are unintentional errors in speech or memory that reveal unconscious thoughts or desires. They occur when the unconscious mind influences our conscious actions and words.
Related terms
Unconscious mind: The part of our mind that contains thoughts, feelings, and desires that are not currently in our awareness.
Repression: A defense mechanism where unacceptable thoughts or desires are pushed into the unconscious mind to avoid anxiety.
Free association: A psychoanalytic technique used to explore the unconscious by allowing patients to talk freely without censoring their thoughts.