Final answer:
Maria is most likely planning an Intrapersonal goal, which is focused on self-improvement and personal achievement. Such a goal is achievable and appropriate, aligning with her personal aspirations, and it requires strategic planning to establish measurable and motivational benchmarks. Ensuring the goal is relevant and result-based is also key to her success.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maria is planning to achieve a first-place award in the next contest she participates in. This reflects her motivation and determination to improve upon her previous second-place accomplishment. Considering the nature of her goal, which is focused on exceeding her own past performance and is a distinctly personal endeavor, it aligns most closely with an Intrapersonal goal. Intrapersonal goals are centered on self-improvement and personal achievement, as opposed to normative goals, which are based on societal standards, or short-term and long-term goals, which are defined by their temporal frames.
An intrapersonal goal involves setting personal benchmarks and striving to surpass them, linking this type of goal to the concept of achieving something that is both achievable and appropriate. Maria's aspiration to secure the top award demonstrates her pursuit of excellence and is a testament to her belief that with proper planning and effort, her goal is attainable. This process involves strategic planning, setting measurable criteria for success, ensuring that the goal is relevant to her aspirations, and deriving motivation from the potential results.