We've all had it happen to us, when we say one thing and then hear another. Imagine that you were talking to a friend and instead of their name, you heard the name of an old friend of yours. Or, when you were talking to your teacher at school, you heard the name "Mom." You might have laughed a little embarrassed, but you've also thought, "Why did this happen to me?" This is very common. Today we're going to talk about this strange, but very common experience.
What is a Freudian Slip?
Simply put, a Freudian Slip is when we accidentally say something that we didn't mean, whether it's when we're speaking or writing. This is what we usually call a "slip of the tongue." It's a very common thing that can happen to anyone, regardless of their language.
The medical term for this is parapraxis . The American Psychological Association defines it as: "The unconscious expression of repressed, unwanted impulses or feelings that break through the defenses of the conscious mind and emerge unconsciously through words, actions, or writing." Sounds a bit complicated? Let's break it down a bit.
How did this get its name? Who is this Freud?
It is named after Sigmund Freud , a world-famous Austrian physician who is considered the father of psychoanalysis . Freud believed that these kinds of blunders were the expression of thoughts and feelings that we have been hiding and repressing in our unconscious mind.
Freud first studied this with a young man. When the young man recited a line of Latin poetry, he would always skip certain words. Using psychoanalysis, Freud discovered that the young man had a disturbing experience with blood. Freud realized that when he recited the line of poetry, he was unconsciously reminded of that unpleasant memory , and he was skipping those words.
Later, he would discuss this in detail in his book "The Psychopathology of Everyday Life." Since then, this phenomenon has become known as the "Freudian Slip."
That means that sometimes the wrong word that comes out of our mouths can be a secret hidden deep in our hearts.
What might these look like? Let's look at some examples.
These errors can occur for a variety of reasons . The table below lists some of the main types and examples.
| Reason/type of mispronunciation | Simple explanation and examples |
|---|---|
| Mental errors | You're either too busy, distracted, or forgetful. There's no deeper meaning here. Example: Instead of saying "I want a coffee", say "I want a coat". |
| Repression | You're trying to forget a traumatic incident that's hurting you, but something in your environment triggers that memory again, and you end up saying the wrong thing. Example: Calling your current partner by your ex-boyfriend's name. |
| Avoidance | You intentionally avoid a certain person, action, or place. But because it's bothering you subconsciously, you end up talking about it when you least expect it. Example: Instead of saying "I'll come" to a task you don't want to go to, you're told "I'm not coming." |
Why does this happen to us? What is the psychological aspect?
There are several theories about the causes of Freudian slips.
The first and most popular theory is that repressed thoughts come out . Imagine that one part of your brain is trying to hide or avoid a thought. At the same time, another part of your brain is going to check, "Did I hide it properly?" Then what happens is that the thought that was trying to hide is reactivated. So, the more we try not to think about something, the more likely it is to come out of our mouths.
The second theory is that it has to do with the way our brain processes language . Before we put our thoughts into words and speak, our brains do a little 'self-editing' to see if there are any mistakes in those thoughts and whether they are appropriate to say. But even so, on average, a person makes one or two mistakes for every 1,000 words they speak. That means, if you speak about 150 words per minute, you might make between 7 and 22 mistakes per day. So, these kinds of mistakes are just part of human communication.
In addition, things like distraction, lack of sleep, excessive fatigue, and stress can also cause these mistakes.
So, are these Freudian slips real? Yes, they are. But not every slip of the tongue has to have a deep, hidden meaning. It could just be a small mistake.
What can we do to reduce these kinds of mistakes?
If you're bothered by making these kinds of mistakes all the time, here are some simple ways psychologists recommend to keep your mind clear and reduce them.
1. Avoid multitasking.
When our brain is overloaded with a lot of work at once, our mind gets scattered. Then, these kinds of mistakes are more likely to happen. Therefore, focus on one task at a time. Give your brain a little rest in between.
2. Gradually face the things you avoid (Gradual exposure)
Do you have thoughts that bother you and that you try to avoid? Trying to avoid them only makes them more distressing. Instead, try to accept those thoughts. It may be difficult at first. But as you face them with control, little by little, their impact will diminish and your mind will become freer. If you need help with this, it is very important to talk to your trusted doctor .
3. Find a distraction
If you're not ready to face something that's bothering you, try engaging in an activity that can take your full attention. It could be reading a book, watching a movie, or exercising. This can help you temporarily relieve stress.
4. Postpone the thought
If you can't get a thought out of your head, set aside a small amount of time each day to think about it. For example, tell yourself, "I will think about this problem from 6 to 6:15 this evening, and then I won't think about it after that." This can help you stop thinking about it all day.
5. Mindfulness and meditation
Incorporate meditation and mindfulness practices into your daily routine. This will calm your mind, improve your mental control, and help you focus on living in the present moment. This will reduce the distractions caused by unnecessary thoughts .
Take-Home Message
- A Freudian slip is a very common thing that happens to all of us. Don't worry too much about it.
- Sometimes these can bring out things that are deep in our minds. But, that doesn't always happen. Most of the time, it's just a small mistake in the brain.
- You're more likely to make these kinds of mistakes when you're tired, stressed, or distracted.
- Things like getting enough rest, managing stress, and meditation can help reduce these.
- If you feel like these things are happening frequently because of some painful experience deep down in your mind, it's important to seek professional help. Talk to your doctor about this.
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