Final answer:
The path-goal leadership style that aligns with goal-setting and positive self-fulfilling prophecy is B. Achievement-oriented, as it emphasizes high goals and confident expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The path-goal leadership style most closely associated with goal-setting and positive self-fulfilling prophecy is B. Achievement-oriented. This style involves leaders who set challenging goals for their followers, expect them to perform at high levels, and show confidence in their capabilities. The achievement-oriented leadership style encourages the establishment of high performance standards and the notion that self-fulfilling prophecies can be positive, wherein believing in success can actually contribute to the realization of successful outcomes. In contast to the other leadership styles mentioned such as directive, supportive, and participative, achievement-oriented leadership emphasizes high goals and confident expectations, aligning closely with goal-setting theory and the effects of a positive self-fulfilling prophecy.