a method is provided to quantify and / or qualify psychological and physiological components of stress in mammals , in which a stimulus can be applied to the test subject &# 39 ; s environment during the test . the method involves the steps of measuring one or more physiological and / or psychological characteristics before and after the administration of a stimulus to a test subject . the stimulus may consist of any product , task , aroma or the like that elicits a stress - related response upon administration . by analyzing the resulting measurements , and optionally comparing physiological and psychological characteristics where both are measured , an overall level of stress may be determined . the method of stress measurement may further be used in product development and / or testing .