Influence vs. Effect: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Influence refers to the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, while effect is the change that results from a specific action or influence.
Key Differences
Influence is the power or capacity to affect someone’s beliefs, attitudes, or actions, often without direct force. Effect, on the other hand, is the result or outcome that follows an action or influence.
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Influence often denotes a process or a gradual impact, like subtly guiding decisions or opinions. In contrast, an effect is typically seen as the direct result or consequence of an action or influence.
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The concept of influence implies an indirect or persuasive power, which can be intentional or unintentional. Conversely, an effect is a specific change or result that can be directly attributed to a cause or influence.
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Influence can be exerted by individuals, groups, or external factors, shaping someone’s character or the course of events. Effect, however, is the tangible or observable change that occurs due to this influence.
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While influence is often ongoing and can be intangible, an effect is usually a distinct and measurable outcome.
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Comparison Chart
Visibility
Can be subtle and not immediately visible
Typically observable and measurable
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Influence and Effect Definitions
Influence
Power or ability to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position.
The company’s influence in the industry is significant.
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Effect
A change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
The new law had a significant effect on reducing crime.
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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.
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Effect
The state of being operative or functional; efficacy.
The medication takes effect within 30 minutes.
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Influence
Power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position
Used her family's influence to get the job.
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Effect
A phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon.
The greenhouse effect contributes to global warming.
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Influence
A person who exerts such power
My parents considered my friend to be a bad influence on me.
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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.
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Effect
The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result
The government's action had little effect on the trade imbalance.
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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.
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Effect
Advantage; avail
Used her words to great effect in influencing the jury.
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Influence
To have an influence on (something); change
A news report that influenced the outcome of the election.
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Effect
The condition of being in full force or execution; operativeness
A new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.
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Influence
To change the behavior or thinking of (someone); sway
Negative ads that are intended to influence voters.
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Effect
Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention
The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama.
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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.
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Effect
A particular impression
Large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness.
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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.
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Effect
Production of a desired impression
Spent lavishly on dinner just for effect.
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Influence
A person or thing exerting such power or action.
He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections.
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Effect
The basic or general meaning; import
He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect.
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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.
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Effect
To bring about; make happen; cause or accomplish
Effect a cure for a disease.
Effect a change in policy. See Usage Note at affect1.
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Effect
The result or outcome of a cause.
The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape.
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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.
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Effect
(uncountable) The state of being binding and enforceable, as in a rule, policy, or law.
The new law will come into effect on the first day of next year.
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Influence
A flowing in or upon; influx.
God hath his influence into the very essence of all things.
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Effect
An illusion produced by technical means (as in "special effect")
The effect of flying was most convincing.
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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?"
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Effect
(sound engineering) An alteration, or device for producing an alteration, in sound after it has been produced by an instrument.
I use an echo effect here to make the sound more mysterious.
I just bought a couple of great effects.
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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.
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Effect
A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer.
Doppler effect
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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.
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Influence
A power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc;
Used her parents' influence to get the job
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Effect
(obsolete) Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.
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Influence
A cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do;
Her wishes had a great influence on his thinking
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Effect
(transitive) To make or bring about; to implement.
The best way to effect change is to work with existing stakeholders.
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Influence
The effect of one thing (or person) on another;
The influence of mechanical action
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Influence
One having power to influence another;
She was the most important influence in my life
He was a bad influence on the children
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Effect
Execution; performance; realization; operation; as, the law goes into effect in May.
That no compunctious visitings of natureShake my fell purpose, nor keep peace betweenThe effect and it.
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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
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Effect
Manifestation; expression; sign.
All the large effectsThat troop with majesty.
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Influence
Shape or influence; give direction to;
Experience often determines ability
Mold public opinion
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Effect
In general: That which is produced by an agent or cause; the event which follows immediately from an antecedent, called the cause; result; consequence; outcome; fruit; as, the effect of luxury.
The effect is the unfailing index of the amount of the cause.
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Influence
Induce into action by using one's charm;
She charmed him into giving her all his money
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Effect
Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.
Patchwork . . . introduced for oratorical effect.
The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place.
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Influence
The capacity to have an effect on the character or behavior of someone.
Her mentor had a great influence on her career.
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Effect
Power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect.
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Influence
A person or thing with the ability to shape or manipulate the opinions or actions of others.
Social media is a major influence on consumer choices.
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Effect
Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; - with to.
They spake to her to that effect.
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Influence
An unseen or indirect force exerting an effect on someone or something.
Cultural influences shape our worldview.
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Influence
The act of affecting or altering someone’s character, development, or behavior.
Peer influence is strong during adolescence.
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Effect
Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.
No other in effect than what it seems.
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Effect
Goods; movables; personal estate; - sometimes used to embrace real as well as personal property; as, the people escaped from the town with their effects.
Resolving all events, with their effectsAnd manifold results, into the willAnd arbitration wise of the Supreme.
Shun the bitter consequence, for know,The day thou eatest thereof, . . . thou shalt die.
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Effect
To produce, as a cause or agent; to cause to be.
So great a body such exploits to effect.
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Effect
To bring to pass; to execute; to enforce; to achieve; to accomplish.
To effect that which the divine counsels had decreed.
They sailed away without effecting their purpose.
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Effect
A phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon;
The magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise
His decision had depressing consequences for business
He acted very wise after the event
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Effect
An outward appearance;
He made a good impression
I wanted to create an impression of success
She retained that bold effect in her reproductions of the original painting
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Effect
A symptom caused by an illness or a drug;
The effects of sleep loss
The effect of the anesthetic
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Effect
An impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived);
He just did it for effect
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Effect
The outcome or result of a particular influence or action.
His speech had a profound effect on the audience.
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Effect
A particular impression intended to be created by an artistic or literary work.
The special effects in the movie were impressive.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can influence be measured?
Influence can be challenging to measure directly due to its often subtle and indirect nature.
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What is the difference between influence and persuasion?
Influence is a broader concept involving the capacity to affect change, while persuasion is specifically about convincing others to change their views or actions.
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What does influence mean in psychology?
In psychology, influence refers to the power to affect or shape someone's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors.
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What is a cause and effect relationship?
A cause and effect relationship is where one event (the cause) directly leads to an outcome (the effect).
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Is the effect always immediate?
No, the effect of an action may not always be immediate and can sometimes take time to manifest.
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Can the effect of a policy be predicted?
The effect of a policy can often be predicted based on research and analysis, but there are always variables that can lead to unexpected outcomes.
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Is an effect always directly linked to its cause?
While an effect is often directly linked to its cause, there can be complex interactions and multiple contributing factors.
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Can influence be unintentional?
Yes, influence can be unintentional, with individuals or factors unknowingly shaping others' attitudes or behaviors.
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Can an effect be negative?
Yes, an effect can be negative, resulting in undesirable outcomes.
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How do environmental factors have an effect?
Environmental factors can have an effect by altering the conditions in which organisms live, affecting their development and behavior.
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How does social influence work?
Social influence works through the pressure or guidance exerted by society or groups on individuals.
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What role does influence play in leadership?
In leadership, influence is crucial for guiding and motivating others towards achieving common goals.
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What does it mean when something is in effect?
When something is in effect, it means it is currently operative or active, like a law or rule.
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How is the effect of medication assessed?
The effect of medication is assessed through clinical trials, patient feedback, and monitoring for desired and adverse outcomes.
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Can the effect of an event be global?
Yes, the effect of an event can be global, especially in our interconnected world, like the impact of climate change.
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Does the placebo effect involve real influence?
The placebo effect involves real psychological influence, where believing in treatment can lead to actual changes in health, despite the treatment having no therapeutic value.
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What is cultural influence?
Cultural influence refers to the way in which the values, beliefs, and practices of a culture shape individuals' behaviors and perceptions.
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How does peer influence affect teenagers?
Peer influence can significantly affect teenagers, shaping their choices, behaviors, and sense of identity.
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What is the influence of media on public opinion?
The influence of media on public opinion is substantial, as it shapes perceptions, informs views, and can sway attitudes on various issues.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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