The common programming paradigm used in JavaScript is event-driven programming. This paradigm focuses on the concept of responding to events or user interactions, such as clicks or key presses. JavaScript is primarily utilized in web development to create interactive and dynamic user interfaces. By leveraging events, developers can create applications that react in real-time to user inputs, enhancing the overall user experience. Additionally, JavaScript can also employ other paradigms, such as functional and object-oriented programming, but its primary strength lies in its ability to handle events seamlessly.