This foundational text in psychology explores how seemingly minor mental lapses—popularly known as "Freudian slips"—reveal hidden unconscious desires or motivations. Freud argues that these everyday errors are not random but are meaningful actions driven by the unconscious mind.

Key Concepts Covered

The book provides detailed, anecdotal accounts of various psychological phenomena:

Parapraxes: Minor errors like slips of the tongue (Freudian slips), misreadings, and miswritings.

Forgetting: Investigates the underlying causes for forgetting names, words, or intentions.

Bungled Actions: Common "accidents" or errors in physical tasks that may be unconsciously motivated.

Screen Memories: Freud's theory that some childhood memories may serve to hide more significant, often distressing, events.