Surely you have heard the expression “Freudian slip of the tongue”, maybe someone used it to address you, or you just became curious about the history and meaning of this expression. Why is this phenomenon so interesting, and what does the name of the popular Austrian psychologist Sigmund Freud have to do with it? Find out from the article.
Who is Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud is an Austrian psychoanalyst, author of the theory of psychoanalysis. He devoted his research activities to the study of the conscious and subconscious person.
Initially, his theories were negatively perceived by society, they found true recognition and reflection already in our time. However, Freud’s psychoanalysis continues to be the leading trend in psychotherapy.
Sigmund Freud was the first to use the method of conversation and the technique of free association. Today it is one of the most demanded psychotherapy tools. According to Freud, free associations open a portal between the conscious and unconscious of a person, which helps to find the hidden causes of behavior, inner anxieties and fears.
Freud believed that any psychosis is a consequence of memories, from which it is impossible to get rid of due to lack of awareness. Because of this, the internal tension becomes even stronger. Associative conversation during psychotherapy helps to bring memories, experiences, emotions to the conscious level.
What is a Freudian clause
The Freudian slip of the tongue is based on the free association method described above. Only this does not happen in the psychoanalyst’s office, where the participants are united by ethics and a code of nondisclosure of the content of the conversation, but in any setting, at any time. And, as a rule, this is not the most suitable time and place.
Freudian clause is a general name for all manifestations of the subconscious. This is not necessarily a word or sound, although this is more often what is meant by a disclaimer. But hidden, suppressed desires can also manifest themselves through slips of the tongue, facial expressions, and gestures.
When a reservation is made, something important breaks through, but is hidden by a person. And sometimes he himself does not understand the true motives, desires, thoughts, and therefore the slip of the tongue surprises, frightens the author himself.
Reservations are normal. This is the same field for the reflection of the subconscious as dreams, fantasies, creativity. Do not be alarmed or surprised if you yourself say something strange. Take this into service, analyze it. Reservations not only betray lies, but also send signals of internal problems. With the help of mistakes, you can understand your true motives, notice a spiritual contradiction, and resolve an internal conflict.
Freud believed that any mistake in speech or writing is the result of the work of the subconscious. But there is still no consensus on this matter. Some scientists believe that reservations do not always reflect the games of the subconscious. Another part admits that there are slips of the tongue according to Freud, but all mistakes cannot be considered as such.
However, several modern experiments have confirmed the theory’s correctness. Here’s how one of the experiments went:
- Two groups of male volunteers were recruited.
- A very attractive and openly dressed girl was launched into the audience of one of the groups.
- Participants from both groups were asked to read spunerism phrases, in which the first letters of the words can be easily swapped: sweet cupcake, wash your hair.
- The group in front of which the girl performed, more often made mistakes in words. Participants read “sweet sex”, “cry naked.”
- In the group where the girl was not there, reservations arose less often, but they also existed. Therefore, it is impossible to unequivocally judge the result.
Later, another experiment was carried out. Fake electrodes were attached to the participants, which allegedly could shock them at any moment. For reading they gave the phrase “Wolin Colt”, “Kok Tolka”. As a result, most of the participants read “Kolka current” and “Colin Volt”. Again, it is not completely clear whether this is due to fear of a possible electric shock.
Reservations are more likely to occur in stressful situations, in a state of tension, excitement, fatigue, and intoxication. Absent-mindedness, fear, fast speech, and performing multiple tasks at the same time also increase the likelihood of reservations.
Types of clauses
Reservations are just one form of error. In total, Freud identified 4 forms of the output of subconscious reactions:
- Actions. For example, a person says “take it,” and he moves the object away. Or he says “nice to meet you,” and he hides his hands in his pockets, walks away a couple of steps.
- Loss or unconscious hiding of things. Have you ever been unable to find the necessary notebook or folder for a long time? They could not remember where they themselves put it.
- Forgetting, including one’s own intentions and motives of already committed actions. We came to the kitchen, but don’t remember why. They wanted to say something, but immediately forgot.
- Errors in reading, listening, writing, speaking. Sometimes we hear our own problems even in someone else’s speech. “What did you say, tear it up? A! Let’s go to!” Whom a person subconsciously wants to break is anyone’s guess.
In case of errors in reading or listening, not only latent motives, desires, but also disagreement with the information can influence. In a broad sense, all Freudian mistakes reflect the individual’s disagreement with himself or with other people, conditions, and situations.
Examples of Freudian slips
We see examples every day in life. Here are just a few of the possible caveats:
- “Good home” instead of “good afternoon” says a tired or preoccupied person with household chores.
- “Hello, Masha,” a man addresses a girl with a different name. And what kind of Masha? Maybe a mistress, or maybe a problematic employee at work or Masha, with whom a dialogue has just taken place, and the person has not yet had time to reorganize to a new opponent.
- “You look disgusting,” one girl compliments another. I wanted to lie and say “awesome”, but subconscious anger and envy won. Or maybe the girl really doesn’t look very good, then the truth just burst out.
- “The fight for honesty is our main enemy,” the deceitful leader unexpectedly blurted out. I wanted to say something beautifully “our main friend.”
You yourself can name many more examples of Freudian slips. Probably, this happened to you too. A reservation looks different: one letter, a phrase, a phrase, a completely inappropriate term in the context. Suppressed emotions and thoughts erupt unexpectedly.
Be attentive in communication, and you will learn a lot more about the people around you. But do not forget that your secrets can also get on public display.
