Slips occur when an operator intends to perform one action, but end up doing another (often similar) action.
Typing an “i” instead of an “o” counts as a slip; accidentally putting liquid hand soap on one’s toothbrush instead of toothpaste is also a slip. Slips are typically made when users are on autopilot, and when they do not fully devote their attention resources to the task at hand. (source: http://www.nngroup.com/articles/slips/ )
The term Slip refers to spontaneous errors; human activity required to learn their limits, by examination of the feedback to their behavior.
Slips are typically considered as undesirable. However, slips are essential for learning, for developing survival skill. Learning by exploration is often spontaneous, uncontrolled activity.
Human behavior is often driven by curiosity. People learn by trial and error. They try various options, in order to explore the limits of their acceptable activity. The act in different situations, examining and evaluating the effects of their actions on the state of the world, and the reactions to these actions.
Learning by trial and error is mostly subconscious. People do not admit the basic need for learning by exploration, and they feel ashamed about the undesirable results – the “Oops” reaction to inadvertent actions.
Updated on 15 Apr 2017.