Our lapses in talking are at critical points, that is, the words we say have a complex significance. We make mistakes in reading because we think that we see in the text words of the complex. Frequently the complex words appear in the peripheral field of vision[1] (Bleuler). In the midst of our diversions we are surprised to hear ourselves sing or whistle a certain melody, the text of which can only seldom and with effort be found, and is a complex constellation; or we continue to murmur a word, frequently a technical term, or any foreign word, which also refers to the complex. Sometimes we may be dominated by an obsession, a melody or word continually thrusting itself into our mind. Here, too, are complex constellations.[2] Or we may draw lines on paper or on the table, complex signs which are frequently not difficult to decipher. Wherever the complex disturbances refer to words we find displacements by sound-similarity or phraseological combinations. I refer here mainly to Freud's examples.[3]
I mention the following from my own observations: To the stimulus word "lawn" a gentleman reacts with the peculiar association "broker." The analysis readily shows that he was contemplating some transactions with a loan office—"pawn-broker."[4] The word-automatism, "Bunau-Varilla,"[5] by free associations gave the following series: "Varinas-Manila—Zigarillo—Havana cigar." It was because I forgot my matches that I resolved not to throw away the butt of my cigar, so as to light another good cigar with it. The word "Bunau-Varilla" appeared just at the moment when I was about to throw it away. A boy who won a prize for passing a brilliant examination in arithmetic continues to chant for hours the word "rithmication."[6]
- ↑ The greatest distinctness lies in the point of fixation where, too, is the greatest attention, hence for the peripheral field of vision attention is diminished, and the inhibition for the unsuitable is less than in the point of fixation, therefore in this location it is easier for repressed complex-fragments to manifest themselves.
- ↑ See examples in Beitrag IV Diagn. Assoz.-Stud. Compare also the mediate associations Beitrag I, Abschnitt B. III.
- ↑ Psychopathologie des Alltagslebens and Traumdeutung.
- ↑ Given by translators as play of words, in author's example can not be translated.
- ↑ Beitrag I, Diagnost. Assoz.-Stud.
- ↑ [Example given by translators. The example in the German text does not lend itself to translation. Ed.]
