WHAT IS COMPETENCE?
The main purpose of the article is to analyze the scientific work by foreign researchers dealing with the problem of definition of the notion of competence. The article considers the problem of definition of the notion of competence from the psychological viewpoint. The author tries to analyze and summarize the viewpoints of various foreign authors concerning this aspect and the issue of practical possibility of using the competence diagnostics in the scientific research activity. The variety of approaches to the diagnostics and measurement of competence is determined by the theoretical and empirical basis of the modern natural science paradigm, where competence is described as a premise for self-organized activity. On the basis of European experience of practical and applied usage of the competence diagnostics techniques, we can conclude that competences are a decisive factor in the professional and personal spheres.