“A Freudian slip, also called parapraxis, is an error in speech, memory, or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to the interference of an unconscious subdued wish or internal train of thought. The concept is part of classical psychoanalysis. Classical examples involve slips of the tongue, but psychoanalytic theory also embraces misreadings, mishearings, temporary forgettings, and the mislaying and losing of objects.” – Wikipedia
This definition has lots of fancy words, but it actually refers to the moments when a wish messes up with our speech, memory, action or others (as the above). For example, if we have a secret about someone and we truly wish to tell that secret to that person, we might catch ourselves saying to that person some parts of the secret without us intending to. It refers to the moments what we behave in a certain way even though we really want something else and we give it away somehow. Maybe this is why Jordan B. Peterson says that if we truly listen to someone we’ll find out more about that person because he/she will tell us what he\she truly wants and needs.
Is body language part of this? Hard to tell. I think it doesn’t because Freudian slip is based on intense emotions while our body language is a form of communication which isn’t necessarily driven by intense emotions. With body language we can express an opinion while this slip expresses wishes. Even though the definition includes physical actions and other “errors”, I believe the most common is the speech slip. If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, you remember when Hagrid told Harry lots of things without intension and after that he says “I shouldn’t have said that”. That is the best example of Freudian slip.
What have you “slipped” lately?
I slip up all the time and I often don’t even realise it. Especially in speech. But I notice when I do when I write. The errors we make are incredibly telling of the subconscious and unconscious.
Parapraxia would be the sciencey term for it. It’s just the physical manifestation in speech stuttering and the like. Much like being unable to articulate a specific sentiment or ideation.
Freudian slip to me is more subconscious (or even emotive). You can read into it in detail if you desire or keep it superficial. Either way there is a disconnection between the various parts that make up the “subtle self”
Unfortunately, we are not in harmony with ourselves and sometimes we’re not consistent in what we’re doing. That disconnection, as you say, manifests itself in different areas of our lives, especially in speech since this is what we do a lot.
It’s one of the things I’ve struggled with the most this year. I’ve always been articulate or eloquent of speech, but it was as if my mind could no longer formulate the words… or my mouth couldn’t keep up with the ideas. I felt disconnected from my damn self, and fell into the depths of despair. My job requires me to speak. It feels like I’ve got “dementia” of “diction”… pfft
My T’s name is Fran and I once said “frying Fran” instead of frying pan / not a secret in any way but was a sign that my T was on my mind!
Word associations! It rhymes!
Yes, it was 🙂
I’m not sure if it counts as a Freudian slip, but, sometimes, when I’m editing an article I’ve written, I’ll notice a word or phrase that I don’t usually use. Silly things like, if I was hungry while writing, I might’ve used a phrase like “hard to digest”. Related to unconscious desires maybe.
It might be. Since the physical desires are more important from a survival point of view, it can interfere with everything else.
I refer to myself as a digestive system.
I am ruled by emotion, so a lot of the times my body language gives away a lot of what I’m feeling, without me intending for this to happen. I personally think that this is dependent on your level of relationship with people…
Yes, body language is influenced by different things. Not only by the level of relationship with that person, but also the self esteem and the physical needs (e.g. hunger).
That was a great post, it got me thinking. Thank you for sharing…
Thank you for reading! 😀
I have had to rewrite whole posts because of what I’ve let slip in. I write so fast, and sometimes without thinking, that weird stuff ends up getting into the posts. I’m like woops. So I trash it and start all over.
I call it word vomit. Sometimes it’s clear like water, and other times it’s got bits of carrot in it (when did I eat carrot last? Nah. That’s your stomach lining)
Ha! That’s pretty much it. I end up saying things I don’t want anyone to know. I’m like no way!
Bah. I clicked the wrong thingy. I’m the worst at this WordPress stuffs
I do it everyday
I’m glad you find the motivation to start all over. It seems that you love writing, right? 😀
Absolutely
That’s why I prefer to write because I don’t remember what I say out loud. I just go… and go… there’s zero filter. Haha. But if I have to put my thoughts to paper? There’s a lot more processing of the thought I have to translate it into linear letters.
Writing is also a great way for us to force ourselves to organize our thoughts somehow.
Yes! And to remind us of stuff!
Sure! LOL
Personally, the term freudian is offensive, he made everything sexual… but I slip constantly. Probably because I’m terrible with secrets. Don’t like them, don’t keep them…I hold onto truth and the secrets slip out. Sometimes slips are a way of releasing toxic energy. Freud would say it’s because I never received something from Daddy, but I know it’s because I can’t stand secrets. I spit them out, whether I know it or not. Great question. Great topic. Too bad Freud was an a-hole. People give him way too much credit. Jung, he’s the dude.
I prefer to take the ideas Freud launched and take out the sexual part out of it. The results can be pretty interesting. Secrets are tough to manage. We’re better without them.
I agree.
(IMHO, im speaking out of my butt really) I think Freud is only remembered for the sexual stuff. Because his focus was on the development of the psyche, and how our brains develop in relation to particular stimuli. And yes, that does include the reproductive organs but that’s also a determinant in terms of sex/gender formation. Physical changes can influence metaphysical formations. Developmental psychology opened the way for the psyche to be considered as a complex system, which then in turn would allow Jung to really crack that nut open.
But it’s fun to talk about dicks, butts, cunts and boobs. And they produce stuff, too. Poop. Pee. Milk. Stuck that is “icky” but necessary as is the CIRCLE OF LIFE! *The lion king music plays and I back away slowly towards the horizon*
Lol
As they say in the game of chance “a card that is laid is a card that is played, you don’t pick it up and play another if you didn’t get the results you wanted”… 🙂 having never met Freud, I generally mean what I say and say what I mean, let the chips fall where they may…. 🙂
So you’re paying attention to what you say. 🙂
I slip up when I get mad and I HATE it. Especially when you try to get your point of argument across and it comes out for their side instead.
Anger can mess up our intentions.
Lately, I’ve been calling my daughter by my sister’s name.
Interesting. Do you spend lots of time with your sister lately?
I went to San Diego a few weeks ago and visited her.
This happened many years ago, I had been thinking thoughts about suicide constantly, obsessively and I walked out to ask my mom if she made another pitcher of tea, it came out “did you make another pitcher of suicide.” 0_0
How did your mother reacted when she heard that?
I just kind off laughed it off like it was no big deal and made it into a joke so she wouldn’t ask questions or worry
about it, I attempted suicide several months later though
What drove you to attempt suicide?
I was just extremely depressed. I have Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar type and was in a depressive episode for a year or so. I was just hopeless and saw no reason to live anymore
I see… how do you feel now?
A lot better
Awesome!