OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible differences in subjective analysis of the emotional stimuli from the International Affective Picture System between elderly and young samples. METHOD: 187 elderly subjects ranked the International Affective Picture System images according to the directions from the Manual of Affective Ratings. Their scores were compared to those obtained from International Affective Picture System studies with young people. RESULT: There is an age-related difference in arousal and valence in the International Affective Picture System rating. The correlation between affective valence and arousal is strong, and negative for the elderly. The expected versus the observed frequency of International Affective Picture System images between elderly and young samples show a statistical difference. CONCLUSION: This study shows an inter-age statistical dichotomy in how elderly and young people subjectively evaluate International Affective Picture System images.