Final answer:
The competence-performance distinction is significant because it differentiates between the ability to perform a task and its actual execution, recognizing that performance can be influenced by external factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The importance of the competence-performance distinction is highlighted by the need to differentiate between a person's underlying ability to do something (competence) and the actual enactment of that ability in real situations (performance).
The statement that outlines this importance is A) Competence is the ability to perform a task, while performance is the actual execution of that task. This distinction is crucial because it acknowledges that various factors can influence performance such as stress, fatigue, or environmental conditions, which may not accurately reflect an individual's competence.