Freud argued that slips of the tongue reveal

• A. Conscious intentions
• B. Unconscious associations
• C. Memory recall
• D. Motivational goals

Answer: (B)

Parapraxes, or slips of the tongue, show that unconscious material can leak into everyday speech, revealing unconscious associations and repressed wishes rather than what you consciously intend to say. Freud taught that our mental life includes wishes, fears, and associations kept out of awareness, and when we speak, that hidden content can surface through substitutions that are semantically or phonologically related to what we mean to express. The slip makes visible the pull of underlying thoughts that conflict with our stated intentions, giving insight into the unconscious processes at work. This is why slips are seen as revealing unconscious associations rather than simply reflecting conscious plans, memory recall, or overt motivational goals.