The Role of Exposure Time on the Subjective Ratings of Emotional Images in Younger and Older Adults.

ABSTRACT: Does the subjective emotionality of images change when they are only shown briefly, and are differences in the impact of emotional image duration modulated by age? The first question has broad implications for research on how emotional stimuli impact behavior, and the second question is pressing in light of evidence for age-related changes in how emotions are experienced. Here we present a study run in 2021, in which younger adults (n = 125) and older adults (n = 115) rated the emotional valence (positive vs. negative) and arousal of images that were presented for either 100 or 1,000 ms. Emotion ratings were strongly correlated between image durations, although both age groups rated emotional images as less extreme in valence and arousal when shown for less time. Older adults

SUBMITTER: Kennedy BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12894480 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature