Influence of Music and Socializing on Perceived Stress While Waiting

42 women and 48 men from an introductory course in psychology served in 6 conditions (ns = 12 to 20). Music was helpful in alleviating the stress produced by having to wait for 10 min. with a small group of strangers who did not interact socially. Those college students in small groups who interacted and those who waited alone did not find the 10-min. wait to be stressful, with or without music.