The Competition Model

The Competition Model explains how people learn and understand language through a process of trial and error, where different sources of information compete for attention. When someone hears or uses language, multiple cues—like word order, context, or familiar patterns—vie to be recognized and understood. The most reliably useful cues win out, guiding how we interpret meaning and produce language. This dynamic competition helps us quickly adapt, learn new words, and improve communication skills by selecting the most effective cues in different situations.