parapraxis

Full Definition

A psychoanalytic term for seemingly accidental errors such as slips of the tongue, forgetting names, or misplacing objects, which Freud believed revealed unconscious wishes, conflicts, or memories. Also known as Freudian slips, parapraxes are considered meaningful rather than random, providing insight into the speaker's unconscious mind. These phenomena include verbal slips (saying one word when meaning another), memory lapses, and bungled actions that appear to serve unconscious purposes.

Usage

Usage note: Plural form is 'parapraxes.' Less commonly used than 'Freudian slip' in general contexts.

In Context

• "The patient's parapraxis of calling his wife by his mother's name revealed unresolved oedipal issues." — Case discussion
• "Analysis of parapraxes often provides direct access to repressed material." — Theoretical paper