Which category of error describes an inadvertent action leading to faulty performance?

The category of error that describes an inadvertent action leading to faulty performance is slips. Slips occur when an individual intends to perform one action but inadvertently performs another, often due to a lapse in attention or a failure in the execution of an intended task. For example, if a pilot intends to switch on the landing gear but accidentally activates another control instead, that would be classified as a slip.

Slips are distinguished from other types of errors because they typically arise from execution failures rather than from a misunderstanding of the task or a conscious decision to act improperly. This makes them particularly relevant in high-stakes environments, such as aviation, where the consequences of such inadvertent actions can be significantly detrimental.