Warren is obsessed with thoughts of being harmed and feels compelled to repeatedly check and recheck the already locked doors and windows of his house.A therapist suggests that his compulsive checking has become so persistent because it temporarily relieves his anxiety.This suggestion highlights the impact of ________ on Warren's compulsive behavior.

A) epigenetics
B) observational learning
C) reinforcement
D) stimulus generalization

The therapist's suggestion that Warren's compulsive checking behavior is driven by the temporary relief of anxiety suggests that his behavior has been reinforced through negative reinforcement. This means that the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus (in this case, the anxiety) strengthens the likelihood of the behavior occurring again in the future. The impact of reinforcement on behavior is a fundamental principle in behavioral psychology.