Affect vs. Influence: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on November 24, 2023
Affect primarily denotes change in emotion or state, while Influence refers to the power or ability to change or persuade someone/something.
Key Differences
Affect is a term that often conveys a change in emotion or a specific state, whether it's of the mind or a particular situation. It's commonly used to describe an immediate reaction or a consequence resulting from an event or stimulus. Influence, on the other hand, portrays a broader sense of power or capability to alter or sway opinions, actions, or decisions, typically over an extended period.
When considering the scope, Affect often implies a more direct or immediate impact, especially in emotional or psychological contexts. It's narrower, suggesting an alteration, typically because of a direct catalyst. Influence tends to have a more profound, pervasive, and often subtle reach, shaping thoughts, behaviors, or outcomes over time. It's more about persuasion than direct imposition.
One key distinction between Affect and Influence is their common grammatical usage. While "Affect" is predominantly employed as a verb (though it can also be a noun in psychological contexts), "Influence" functions both as a noun and a verb, offering more versatility in its application.
Furthermore, the domains in which Affect and Influence are applied may differ. While Affect is often associated with psychology, denoting changes in mood or disposition, Influence stretches across various fields, including politics, marketing, leadership, and beyond. Influence paints a picture of authority, persuasion, or the potential to mold something or someone in a particular direction.
Comparison Chart
Grammatical Usage
Primarily a verb; noun in psychology
Both noun and verb
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Domain of Application
Emotional or state change
Persuasion across various fields
Duration & Impact
Immediate reaction or consequence
Extended impact, shaping over time
Scope
Narrower, direct impact
Broader, persuasive power
Connotation
Alteration due to a stimulus
Power to sway or mold decisions/actions
Affect and Influence Definitions
Affect
To act on or change a situation.
The new law will Affect many people.
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Influence
Power arising from status, contacts, or wealth.
She used her Influence to secure the job.
Affect
To have an influence on or effect a change in
Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar.
Influence
A person or thing with the power to shape outcomes.
He was a major Influence in the art world.
Affect
To act on the emotions of; touch or move.
Influence
The capacity to have an effect on someone's character or behavior.
His mentor had a significant Influence on his career.
Affect
To attack or infect, as a disease
Rheumatic fever can affect the heart.
Influence
To affect or change how someone or something develops.
The media can Influence public opinion.
Affect
To put on a false show of; simulate
Affected a British accent.
Influence
A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort
The pervasive influence that TV has on modern life.
Young people falling under the influence of a radical philosopher.
Affect
To have or show a liking for
Affects dramatic clothes.
Influence
Power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position
Used her family's influence to get the job.
Affect
(Archaic) To fancy; love.
Influence
A person who exerts such power
My parents considered my friend to be a bad influence on me.
Affect
To tend to by nature; tend to assume
A substance that affects crystalline form.
Influence
A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
Affect
To imitate; copy
"Spenser, in affecting the ancients, writ no language" (Ben Jonson).
Influence
Factors believed to be caused by the changing positions of the stars and planets in relation to their positions at the time of one's birth.
Affect
Feeling or emotion, especially as manifested by facial expression or body language
"The soldiers seen on television had been carefully chosen for blandness of affect" (Norman Mailer).
Influence
To have an influence on (something); change
A news report that influenced the outcome of the election.
Affect
(Obsolete) A disposition, feeling, or tendency.
Influence
To change the behavior or thinking of (someone); sway
Negative ads that are intended to influence voters.
Affect
(transitive) To influence or alter.
The experience affected me deeply.
The heat of the sunlight affected the speed of the chemical reaction.
Influence
The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.
I have absolutely no influence over him.
Affect
(transitive) To move to emotion.
He was deeply affected by the tragic ending of the play.
Influence
An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.
I'm not able to exercise influence over him.
Affect
Of an illness or condition, to infect or harm (a part of the body).
Hepatitis affects the liver.
Influence
A person or thing exerting such power or action.
He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections.
Affect
To dispose or incline.
Influence
(astrology) An element believed to determine someone's character or individual tendencies, caused by the position of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
Affect
To tend to by affinity or disposition.
Influence
(obsolete) The action of flowing in; influx.
Affect
To assign; to appoint.
Influence
(electricity) Electrostatic induction.
Affect
To burden (property) with a fixed charge or payment, or other condition or restriction.
Influence
(transitive) To have an effect on by using gentle or subtle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.
The politician wants to influence the public.
I must admit that this book influenced my outlook on life.
Affect
(transitive) To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume. To make a false display of.
To affect ignorance
To affect a British accent
He managed to affect a smile despite feeling quite miserable.
Influence
(intransitive) To exert, make use of one's influence.
Affect
To aim for, to try to obtain.
Influence
To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.
Affect
To feel affection for (someone); to like, be fond of.
Influence
A flowing in or upon; influx.
God hath his influence into the very essence of all things.
Affect
To show a fondness for (something); to choose.
Influence
Hence, in general, the bringing about of an effect, physical or moral, by a gradual process; controlling power quietly exerted; agency, force, or tendency of any kind which affects, modifies, or sways; as, the influence which the sun exerts on animal and vegetable life; the influence of education on the mind; the influence, according to astrologers, of the stars over affairs.
Astrologers call the evil influences of the stars, evil aspects.
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
She said : "Ah, dearest lord! what evil starOn you hath frown'd, and poured, his influence bad?"
Affect
(psychology) A subjective feeling experienced in response to a thought or other stimulus; mood, emotion, especially as demonstrated in external physical signs.
Influence
Power or authority arising from elevated station, excelence of character or intellect, wealth, etc.; reputation; acknowledged ascendency; as, he is a man of influence in the community.
Such influence hath your excellency.
Affect
(obsolete) One's mood or inclination; mental state.
Influence
Induction.
Affect
(obsolete) A desire, an appetite.
Influence
To control or move by power, physical or moral; to affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to affect; to move; to persuade; to induce.
These experiments succeed after the same manner in vacuo as in the open air, and therefore are not influenced by the weight or pressure of the atmosphere.
This standing revelation . . . is sufficient to influence their faith and practice, if they attend.
The principle which influenced their obedience has lost its efficacy.
Affect
To act upon; to produce an effect or change upon.
As might affect the earth with cold heat.
The climate affected their health and spirits.
Influence
A power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc;
Used her parents' influence to get the job
Affect
To influence or move, as the feelings or passions; to touch.
A consideration of the rationale of our passions seems to me very necessary for all who would affect them upon solid and pure principles.
Influence
Causing something without any direct or apparent effort
Affect
To love; to regard with affection.
As for Queen Katharine, he rather respected than affected, rather honored than loved, her.
Influence
A cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do;
Her wishes had a great influence on his thinking
Affect
To show a fondness for; to like to use or practice; to choose; hence, to frequent habitually.
For he does neither affect company, nor is he fit for it, indeed.
Do not affect the society of your inferiors in rank, nor court that of the great.
Influence
The effect of one thing (or person) on another;
The influence of mechanical action
Affect
To dispose or incline.
Men whom they thought best affected to religion and their country's liberty.
Influence
One having power to influence another;
She was the most important influence in my life
He was a bad influence on the children
Affect
To aim at; to aspire; to covet.
This proud man affects imperial way.
Influence
Have and exert influence or effect;
The artist's work influenced the young painter
She worked on her friends to support the political candidate
Affect
To tend to by affinity or disposition.
The drops of every fluid affect a round figure.
Influence
Shape or influence; give direction to;
Experience often determines ability
Mold public opinion
Affect
To make a show of; to put on a pretense of; to feign; to assume; as, to affect ignorance.
Careless she is with artful care,Affecting to seem unaffected.
Thou dost affect my manners.
Influence
Induce into action by using one's charm;
She charmed him into giving her all his money
Affect
To assign; to appoint.
One of the domestics was affected to his special service.
Influence
To sway or direct based on personal qualities.
She Influenced her peers with her charisma.
Affect
Affection; inclination; passion; feeling; disposition.
Affect
The emotional complex associated with an idea or mental state. In hysteria, the affect is sometimes entirely dissociated, sometimes transferred to another than the original idea.
Affect
The conscious subjective aspect of feeling or emotion
Affect
Have an effect upon;
Will the new rules affect me?
Affect
Act physically on; have an effect upon
Affect
Connect closely and often incriminatingly;
This new ruling affects your business
Affect
Make believe with the intent to deceive;
He feigned that he was ill
He shammed a headache
Affect
Have an emotional or cognitive impact upon;
This child impressed me as unusually mature
This behavior struck me as odd
Affect
To make a difference to or influence.
The cold weather started to Affect my health.
Affect
To move emotionally.
The movie deeply Affected her.
Affect
To pretend to have or feel something.
She Affected indifference, but I knew she was upset.
Affect
Relating to mood changes.
His demeanor showed no Affect.
FAQs
Can Affect be a noun?
Yes, especially in psychology, Affect can denote mood or emotional state.
How does Influence differ in verb and noun forms?
As a verb, it means to sway; as a noun, it refers to the power or ability to sway.
Are there synonyms for Affect?
Yes, such as "impact" or "alter." However, context is crucial for correct usage.
When should I use Affect in a sentence?
Use Affect when referring to a change or impact, especially in emotions or states.
Does Affect always indicate emotional change?
While often used in emotional contexts, Affect can also signify any change or impact.
What does Influence typically refer to?
Influence refers to the power to alter or persuade someone or something.
Is Influence always overt?
No, Influence can be overt or subtle, directly observable or underlying.
Can an individual possess Influence without any formal power?
Yes, Influence can stem from personal qualities, knowledge, relationships, and more.
In which fields is the term Influence prominent?
Influence is prevalent in politics, marketing, leadership, and many other fields.
Is Affect only about negative change?
No, Affect can denote positive, negative, or neutral changes.
Can Affect be used in a medical context?
Yes, often when referring to how a condition might impact a patient.
Can Affect be used in scientific contexts?
Yes, often when detailing how one variable impacts another.
Can an event Affect multiple areas simultaneously?
Yes, an event, like a natural disaster, can Affect ecosystems, economies, and societies.
Why is Influence crucial in leadership?
Influence fosters trust, motivates teams, and drives collective goals in leadership.
How do emotions Affect decision-making?
Emotions can bias, amplify, or diminish rationality in decisions.
What's an example of Influence in daily life?
A friend recommending a book, altering your reading choice, showcases Influence.
What factors increase a person's Influence?
Factors like expertise, trustworthiness, relationships, and charisma can boost Influence.
Can Influence be measured?
It can be challenging, but factors like changed behavior, decisions, or outcomes can gauge Influence.
How does media Influence society?
Media can shape perceptions, values, behaviors, and cultural norms in society.
Do all actions Affect outcomes?
While many actions have consequences, not all necessarily have significant or lasting effects.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
