We’ve all been there.
You’re having a casual chat with your partner when you accidentally call them by your ex’s name. Or, you’re giving a high-level press statement when you mistakenly refer to the company CEO as something you weren’t supposed to.
Verbal slip-ups are not uncommon. On the contrary, these errors are more prevalent than we often imagine.
Even the most eloquent speakers occasionally make verbal slip-ups, offering a glimpse into their thought processes.
While they’re easy to dismiss as mere slips of the tongue, verbal errors may disclose more than we’re trying to let on. That’s according to acclaimed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.
Freud’s extensive work in investigating verbal slip-ups led to the errors being named after him.
But how do speech blunders occur, and what do they reveal about the human mind? More relevantly, can these mistakes impact the accuracy of lie detector tests?
Here’s everything you need to know about Freudian slips before scheduling your next polygraph test.
What Is A Freudian Slip?
A Freudian slip is a verbal or memory error associated with the unconscious mind. It’s also known as parapraxis, and often reveals much about the inner workings of our thoughts, emotions, and desires.
Freudian slips usually occur mid-speech. The mistakes are sporadic, often involving replacing a single word or short phrase with another.
Freudian slips have long been associated with deception. Therefore, it’s understandable why many wonder if making these verbal errors can cause them to fail a lie detector test.
Why Do Freudian Slips Occur?
According to Sigmund Freud, emotions can exert their influence on our behaviors even when we’re unaware of their existence. It’s that very phenomenon that produces verbal errors.
Impaired Language Processing
Our brains silently edit words before we say them. This process, which happens in split seconds, enables us to comprehend the meaning and contextual relevance of every word before speaking it out.
A lapse in language processing can cause a Freudian slip.
Previous studies have shown that humans make one to two verbal errors for every 1,000 words spoken, a clear indication of language processing delays. The error rate is even higher if speaking a non-native language.
Can Freudian Slips Make You Fail A Polygraph Test?
Polygraphs measure deviations from certain physiological baselines.
The technique is based on research, which suggests that lying arouses the autonomic nervous system (ANS). It mostly targets changes in heart rate, perspiration, and respiration.
To understand whether Freudian slips can impact the accuracy of polygraph tests, it’s important to remember that these speech blunders are mostly spontaneous and unrelated to any physiological arousal.
There’s no conclusive evidence that Freudian slips will cause changes in the autonomic nervous system. Simply mixing up your partner’s name with that of your secret television crush doesn’t imply you’re cheating.
Even if you were undertaking an infidelity polygraph exam, you can rest assured the test won’t uncover any hints of cheating. Unless, of course, you’re actively pursuing the other person for a romantic relationship.
The Relationship Between Thought Processing and Lie Detection
Lie detector tests rely more on physiological than psychological arousal. In fact, polygraph questions are intentionally designed to be easy to answer.
Besides, the questions require flat ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ replies. This minimizes undue load on the brain.
As polygraph tests provide no room for narrative replies, it’s almost impossible to commit Freudian slips. But that’s only true for the in-test phase.
Note that polygraphs occur in three critical phases – Pre-test, In-test, and Post-test.
Much of the direct questioning happens during the in-test stage. Meanwhile, the pre-test and post-test phases often involve casual exchanges between the examiner and examinee. It’s here where a Freudian slip can easily occur.
The responses given during the pre- and post-test aren’t typically scored. However, making an ominous verbal error may have your examiner recommend you for further investigation even if you eventually pass the polygraph test.
Some studies have also found a relationship between Freudian slips and sex-related shame.
People who’ve been exposed to extreme erotic material tend to make more Freudian slips. According to research, this may suggest the individuals are emotionally conflicted on whether or not they should explore their sexual fantasies, pursue their objects of desire, etc.
This revelation can be particularly significant when polygraphing unfaithful partners.
Freudian Slip and Lie Detection: A Complex Relationship
Freudian slips are unintentional verbal errors that originate from the unconscious mind. They typically don’t indicate deception and shouldn’t impact the outcome of lie detector tests.
Now, the growing association between Freudian slips and polygraphs underscores the significance of due diligence while choosing a polygraph examiner. While an inexperienced polygrapher may readily declare you guilty based on a speech blunder, experienced ones focus on physiological arousal.
However, there are special cases where a Freudian slip may unintentionally reveal a person’s intent or involvement in a matter under investigation. When the error is too relevant to ignore, a polygrapher may recommend further investigations.
