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4 SAFETY BEHAVIOR INCREASES OBSESSION-RELATED COGNITIONS 99 was also expected that these effects would be specific to OCD-related cognitions, and that the manipulation would not affect general anxiety. METHOD Participants Ninety participants (mean age 22.36, SD = 3.39; 73 women) were recruited at Utrecht University and the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, and randomly assigned to the experimental ( n = 30), monitor ( n = 30), or control group ( n = 30). Individuals with a current psychiatric disorder were excluded from participation. Participants received remuneration or course credit for their participation. Measures Checking cognitions scale (CCS) Based on the Contamination Cognitions Scale used in a similar study by Deacon and Maack (2008), this questionnaire was developed for the present study to assess the effect of checking behavior on OCD-related cognitions about the importance of checking and the perceived likelihood and severity of threat when one does not check things around the house. It consists of 21 questions about 7 items that are often involved in OCD-related checking behavior, such as the gas stove, windows and doors, and electrical plugs. For each item, participants rate the importance of checking (e.g., “I think that checking if the stove is off before I leave the house or go to bed is…”, rated from “not at all important” to “very important”); the likelihood of a dangerous situation happening (e.g., “How likely is it that a dangerous situation will emerge when you do not check if the stove is off before leaving the house or going to bed?”, rated from “very unlikely” to “very likely”); and the severity of a dangerous situation happening (e.g., “How severe would the possible consequences be if you do not check if the stove is off before leaving the house or going to bed?”,