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To study the significance and manifestations of youth value orientations in the structure of social competence and determine their influence on behavior in a situation of social threat or danger, a diagnosis of value orientations of youth (students of Birobidzhan Medical College, Birobidzhan College of Culture and Arts) by M. Rokich was carried out. The research also included the analysis of questionnaires of students to identify their sensitivities to social threats and dangers. The study showed that among the terminal youth values health, love, presence of good and faithful friends turn out to be the most important ones. Among the instrumental values accuracy, upbringing, education, responsibility and cheerfulness are ranked first. These fundamental students' values are a part of the structure of social competence of modern youth, which influence their behavior in a situation of social threat or danger. By performing the regulatory function of behavior, value orientations allow students to behave properly and to avoid the situation of social danger or threat.