What Is a Freudian Slip? Examples and Psychological Meaning

Most of us have experienced a moment when we’ve said the wrong word and immediately wished we could take it back. When the mistake sounds revealing, someone often jokes, “That was a Freudian slip.” But what does that actually mean in psychology?

Understanding the Freudian slip meaning requires looking at where the idea began and how researchers interpret these errors today. While the phrase is common in everyday conversation, it started as a formal psychological concept with a specific theory behind it.

What Is a Freudian Slip?

A Freudian slip is an unintentional mistake in speech, memory, or behavior that appears to reveal something a person did not mean to say or do.

The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines a Freudian slip as “an unconscious error or oversight in writing, speech, or action that is held to be caused by unacceptable impulses breaking through the ego’s defenses and exposing the individual's true wishes or feelings.”¹ Traditionally, these mistakes are interpreted as reflecting thoughts or feelings outside conscious awareness.

The concept was introduced by Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud in his 1901 book The Psychopathology of Everyday Life.² Freud studied slips of the tongue, forgotten names, and small everyday mistakes, arguing that they were not random accidents but meaningful expressions of unconscious mental processes.

In psychology, the official term for this type of error is parapraxis.3 The term comes directly from the Greek para- (“beside” or “beyond”) and praxis (“action” or “doing”), literally meaning “an action gone astray.” In psychoanalytic theory, it refers to the slips of speech or behavior we know as Freudian slips.

Exploring the Deeper Roots of Freudian Slip Psychology

To understand Freudian slip psychology, it helps to look at Freud’s broader theory of the mind.

The founder of psychoanalysis proposed that the mind includes both conscious and unconscious processes. Some thoughts, especially those that create conflict or anxiety, may be pushed out of awareness through a process called repression.²

According to Freud, repressed thoughts do not simply disappear. Instead, they continue to influence behavior in indirect ways.

In The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, Freud argued that parapraxis occurs when normal mental control weakens, allowing unconscious material to enter speech or action. In those moments, hidden ideas may surface in the everyday mistakes we call Freudian slips.²

Freud based these conclusions on clinical observations rather than controlled laboratory experiments. His interpretations emerged from therapeutic work and case studies.

What Are Some Freudian Slip Examples?

Freudian slip examples fall into the three main categories mentioned above: slips of the tongue, memory lapses, and accidental actions.

1. Slips of the Tongue
   These are the most familiar type of Freudian slip. Common examples include:
   • Saying something like, “I’m sad you’re here” instead of “I’m glad you’re here”
   • Calling someone by the wrong name, such as referring to a current partner by an ex’s name

   • Accidentally using a word that reveals frustration or irritation

     Freud believed these substitutions might reveal hidden wishes or unresolved conflict.²

2. Memory Lapses
   Memory lapses are another common type of Freudian slip. Examples include:
   • Missing an appointment
   • Forgetting someone’s name

   • Struggling to recall a word during an uncomfortable discussion

     Freud suggested that forgetting may reflect avoidance, especially when the forgotten memory is emotionally charged or anxiety-provoking.² 

3. Accidental Actions
   Freud also included behavioral mistakes in his discussions. These include:
   • Sending a message to the wrong person
   • Misplacing important documents

   • Repeatedly arriving late 

     Freud posited that such actions may express unconscious resistance, hidden motives, or inner conflict.² 

What Does Today’s Research Say About Freudian Slip Psychology?

Modern psychology studies these kinds of errors from a different theoretical perspective. While psychoanalysis looks for hidden emotional meaning, cognitive psychology examines how mental systems process language, memory, and attention. For example:

• Research on speech production shows that slips of the tongue often follow predictable patterns based on how words are stored and retrieved in the brain.⁴
• Research on memory shows that forgetting frequently results from interference, retrieval failure, or limits in attention.⁵

Today, psychologists take a balanced view rather than assuming there is one single explanation. Some slips may reflect emotional themes, especially in clinical settings. Others are ordinary cognitive errors that occur because of how the brain processes information.

Understanding both perspectives helps psychology students see how theories evolve as research methods become more rigorous.

Why the Freudian Slip Theory Still Matters

Even though aspects of Freud’s original explanation are debated, the concept of parapraxis remains important in the history of psychology.

It illustrates:

• How early psychologists tried to explain everyday behavior
• How clinical observation shaped early theory
• How later experimental research tested those ideas
• How psychological concepts move into popular language
• How psychology evolves as new evidence emerges and theories are refined

Earn an MS in Psychology and Take Your Interest Further

If Freudian slips, unconscious processes, and cognitive psychology spark your curiosity, earning an MS in Psychology can help you explore such topics at a deeper level.

Walden University's master’s in psychology online degree program offers you a comprehensive foundation in psychological principles while nurturing your passion for understanding human behavior. The program is designed to support your academic growth within a community of engaged learners and dedicated faculty who share your commitment to the field.

Walden’s online MS in Psychology program stands out with several key features:

• Specializations that allow you to align studies with your interests—from General Psychology to Health Psychology and more
• Evidence-based curriculum grounded in current research and real-world applications
• Online format that fits your lifestyle, enabling you to balance your education with personal and professional responsibilities
• Experienced faculty who bring both academic expertise and practical insights to their teaching
• Supportive learning community that connects you with peers who share your dedication to psychological science

Walden believes in creating an educational environment where every student feels valued and supported. As a psychology master’s student, you’ll find yourself immersed in coursework that challenges you intellectually, and you’ll have access to tools and guidance to help you thrive in your program. Walden’s Student Support Services are designed to help you navigate your academic journey with confidence.

If you’re considering graduate school in psychology, earning your master’s degree is a practical next step. Exploring ideas like parapraxis and modern cognitive science is just the beginning. A master’s in psychology gives you the opportunity to move from curiosity to professional growth.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering online certificate programs and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: https://dictionary.apa.org/freudian-slip
²Source: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67332
³Source: https://dictionary.apa.org/parapraxis
⁴Source: www.mpi.nl/world/materials/publications/levelt/Levelt_Multiple_1999.pdf
⁵Source: https://opentextbc.ca/psychologymtdi/chapter/forgetting-and-memory-errors/

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.