According to cognitive stress theories, stress caused by waiting is influenced by two components, the (psychological) cost of waiting, that is, a function C of time, and a probability distribution over waiting times. Osuna (1985a) suggested a model by which stress as a function of time could be calculated from these constituents. The aim of this paper is (1) to generalize the model, (2) to investigate its mathematical properties, (3) to derive predictions for experimental tests of the model, and (4) to give a precise meaning to the variability and duration hypothesis discussed in the experimental literature. In particular, several theorems are derived which specify situations in which the model enables the user to compare conditions for their stress inducing potential. Such conditions are the duration of the waiting time and the predictability of the length of a waiting period. The core of the mathematical derivations is an identity for expected stress which simplifies the calculations of the Osuna model considerably. Copyright 1997 Academic Press
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