Paradigmatic and Exemplarist Approaches to Communication

Paradigmatic and exemplarist approaches are ways to understand how we communicate and learn from others. Paradigmatic approach involves using general rules, patterns, or categories to interpret messages—like understanding language through grammar and shared conventions. Exemplarist approach, on the other hand, focuses on specific examples or experiences that serve as models—learning by recalling and emulating particular people or situations. In communication, paradigmatic methods rely on abstract standards, while exemplarist methods emphasize the significance of concrete instances and personal stories to convey meaning and guide behavior.