What's the difference between influence and manipulation?

Question

Manipulation has darker connotations attached to it. But is it just semantics? Are they essentially the same thing?

If they're the same, then are social media influencers really social media manipulators?

dynamicyandere · Accepted Answer

They are quite similar, but I believe the key difference is intention and passive vs active.

Generally-speaking influence is done passively. Like, you living a healthy lifestyle, and then you happen to inspire someone to start eating healthier. You didn’t actively try to change them. But, you were a positive influence on them.

And, if you recognize your ability to influence, then you may have the intention of being a positive influence, so you continue to be a positive role model in other areas of your life too. People see you live your life and they are inspired.

It’s indirect, and if others change around you, it’s by their own free will.

Now manipulation tends to be self-serving, Machiavellian in nature, and there’s always an agenda.

It’s when you have a goal or desire and you’re going to actively make that happen by pulling strings to get people to do what you want.

You are making something happen, pulling, pushing, or forcing someone psychologically to move in the direction that you want.

And manipulation can be indirect. But, even when that’s the case, there’s always a self-serving Machiavellian agenda.

Social Media “Influencers” may be influencers or manipulators. It depends on how they go about things.

If they have altruistic and positive intentions and just want to inspire people passively while they go ahead and live their life and share their content. Then, they very well may be true influencers.

Manipulators may do something like actively trying to control the minds of their audience. Targeting their audience’s fears and insecurities for example to lower their self-worth to then pitch them a product or service that will not actually help them. Allowing the manipulator to monetize their audience through pressure or shame or guilt and gaslight them if they question the validity of the manipulator’s supposed snake oil solution.

Manipulators actively pull strings. Influencers do not.

But, of course, a manipulator will always deny being a manipulator and would prefer the title of “influencer” so that other people will let their guard down and trust them.

Finchie40 · Accepted Answer

Influence is a choice , you can be an influence to someone that chooses to be influenced by you ,

Manipulation is force and control , You are trying
To force and control someone to do what you want them to do , it’s their way or no way , they are manipulating you to only do what they want you to , kind of like what our Government is doing to us , By forcing us to pay higher taxes , By forcing us to wear masks during the bullshit pandemic , by trying to force us to get a vaccinations that weren’t fully tested by forcing us to hand over our paychecks for people That don’t want to work and choose not to get a job , This whole world is manipulated to follow their bullshit , Yes you have a choice but there is always consequences to your choices , The Government is focused on Power, control and Greed when you are forced to do something that you don’t want to do that’s Manipulation , One of my favorite heavy metal songs , Manipulation, Don’t speak to me about freedom , don’t speak to me about being free , Your mind is mine , no one else’s , your mind is mine MANIPULATION !!! I got to jam that tonight lol

melanieeeB · Accepted Answer

I personally see influence as someone giving you an idea how to do something or think about something without forcing you but just giving a new input for you to think about and then maybe decide to join in or not

While manipulation is someone making you do or think something that they wanted out of you for their own advantage

Breanna_nonbinary · Accepted Answer

You’re right it’s a very fine line. However I think that an influencer is more what the influenced wants. But if the influencer is using their influence for personal gain at the expense of the influenced then they are really a manipulator.

burlen · Answer

Influence is the ability to persuade or have an effect on someone or something, usually by using rational arguments, facts, or other legitimate means. Influence can be positive or negative, but it is generally considered to be ethical and transparent.

Manipulation, on the other hand, involves using deceptive or dishonest means to influence or control someone or something for personal gain or benefit. Manipulation is generally considered to be unethical and can involve tactics such as lying, intimidation, or emotional blackmail.

The main difference between influence and manipulation lies in the intent behind the action. Influence seeks to persuade and convince others based on legitimate reasons, while manipulation aims to control and deceive others for personal gain. Influence is usually transparent and ethical, while manipulation is often hidden and unethical.

DaveJord · Answer

I would have this debate with my Ex-Wife. There would be something that I thought was a good idea, and she would not want anything to do with it. She would lay out her reasons against. Then I would lay out the reasons in favor. She would say that I was only tring to manipulator her into doing what I wanted.

Of course, I would say that bull shit manipulation requires a malicious intent, and in this case from the start I laid out why I was in favor of this action, and why I think it was a good idea. There is no attempt to hide or conceal my intentions. All I was doing is trying to get her to reconsider (influence her) other options or choices.

It is absolutely not the same thing. People only accuse of you of manipulating when they have not argument against what you are presenting to them.

CheeseMonster · Answer

I think what makes it manipulation is that there's selfish intention or pressure involved. If you're looking for a pet and I say "puppies are great, they're so smart and my favorite pet ever was a puppy," and you get a puppy, that's influence. I influenced your decision by what I like, but I never made it worse for you not to choose what I want, or better to choose what I did want. U just know what I want. That's all.

But if I say like, "oh I'll help pay for it if it's a puppy. I'll house sit if u need, or help potty train—IF it's a puppy. But if not, you're on ur own. And if it's a cat and it touches me I will smack it." That's manipulation. That's not just telling you what I think, but using threats and/or promises to like bribe/intimidate you. Like how I treat you/the pet changes based on whether you decide what I want or not. Pressure. Controlling. Not at all the same.

snowboarder720 · Answer

The was I see it:

Influence: motivates you into doing something.
Manipulation: leads you to believing something that may be untrue.

Difference is manipulation leaves the door open for believing someone’s lies. This can be very unhealthy because someone manipulating you can take advantage of you being gullible and naive then taking your trust without you taking their trust. If they succeed in manipulating you it’s like they put you in a ball and chain and it’s hard for you to escape from that mindset after believing them. Manipulating is always bad.
Influencing is where you have more free will. Whether you’ve been told a lie or the truth you just take the information given to you and you do something with it. Influencing can be good or bad.

chronic22 · Answer

Influence is manipulation I can influence someone into getting arrested by influencing somebody to beat me up and then play victim and he would spend time in jail and depending on my injuries I could sue and get a settlement.
Influence is getting someone to do say or act a certain way you want. If you become adept at influence you can learn what words actions to say where you don't even have to ask to find out information. Manipulation changes the brain the more you lie the easier it gets. your brain evolves to where you get better at influence manipulation and you start to get better and better at it until you know how to control someones actions thoughts by manipulation
And then some may refer to you as a Tyrant
Like the guy that has everybody convinced he's such a great guy when in actuality he's a Rapist.

Anonymous · Answer

The difference is your self esteem and boundaries. Any person can influence you (good or bad). But if you're being manipulated in a sense it's YOUR own FAULT. As you grow as a person and age you'll learn better what you're willing to ACCEPT from people. Believe it or not some people we have to teach how to treat us (this is not meant in an arrogant way). I mean some people are more assertive than others. And ANYONE who cannot respect my boundaries will find themselves cut out of my life very quickly.

When you reach a point in life where you're OK with being completely alone. That is when you'll be best connecting with people.

StormChaser838 · Answer

these days both have negative connotations, it's just that they have been so badly used online to push stuff on unsuspecting people they have become loaded words. Both in truth are ambiguous quantities, on their own they don't really mean anything and really need a little more context to form an opinion on.

Guy13 · Answer

The only difference between influence and manipulation is the condition of the heart of the one in charge.

And, if the outcomes are good then the Influencer is a trusted advisor. If there is a glitch or deal implodes then the master manipulator is to be pursued by an attorney etc…

Natdabrat · Answer

Yes that is a yes and no kinda thing because look at Andrew rate he was one of the biggest and most popular influencers on social media and now look at him ! See that goes to show only time will tell if a person has good or bad intention s normally the bad or worst one get caught eventually even the mega rich one s like Jeffrey Einsteen or whatever his name was

OfMiceandMen · Answer

I think someone could actually unintentionally influence someone's decision simply due to something they said or did.

However, manipulation suggests the manipulator knows exactly what they are doing or saying, with the intention of swaying the person's decision/outcome.

Amy10223 · Answer

Someone who influences you has an effect on your life and on how you live it or learn from it. Someone who manipulates you uses you to gain something for him/herself. Manipulation has a negative connotation, whereas influence could be good or bad.

RavVid · Answer

They could be close.

In influencing I could show that doing x has worked for me and it is up to you if you think the result is good.

In manipulation I am influencing your perception of what is goodness. Usually manipulation produces a good result for the manipulator and it is done for that reason.

Orion76 · Answer

Manipulating is control. Weather it’s a non living object, elements that exist in nature we manipulate them every day to serve a specific purpose people are no exception they can be manipulated to do things.
But to influencing requires thinking you can only influence people only they chose how and for what purpose they apply it to unlike manipulation you cannot control the outcome In my opinion.

AdithyaR · Answer

Influence is when your actions of words motivate someone to do something. Here you're not making them do it, you're merely providing incentive or purpose for them to choose to do it themselves.

Manipulation is when you're indirectly controlling their actions to suit a particular agenda of your favor. This will almost always include some form of deception or mental tricks to get what we want from the person.

MysteriousDarkness · Answer

Influence is the ability to affect someone else’s behaviour because of your (real or perceived) authority, knowledge or relationship with that person.

Manipulation is the power to influence someone else to your advantage. It is often done without the other person’s knowledge.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Manipulation can be seen as a form of influence that is designed to trick the other person into doing something that benefits the manipulator, often at the expense of the person who is being manipulated.

Influence can be something that's designed to be beneficial to the person being influenced.

weysally · Answer

being influenced by someone usually is that person can't do any wrong, but being manipulated means that that person won't give up until they have you in their power

Adam1978 · Answer

Manipulating is intentionally trying to change someone. While influence is inspire someone to change themselves. Ie a voluntary change from the other person.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

It’s definitely just semantics for the most part. People who strive to be “influencers” are just as twisted as any sociopath you might be afraid to meet in person.

BeMuse · Answer

Influence is an effect that is passive and has nor direct or apparent effort. In contrast manipulation is deliberate, with a devious motivation to control someone to gain an unfair advantage.

mobiusforniner · Answer

I feel that to influence is to inspire a change for others' benefit whereas to manipulate is to inspire or coerce change for self benefit. Excellent question.

Exterminatore · Answer

Manipulation is the same as influence but with intent for gain or self interest only. Manipulation tends be unsolicited whereas sometimes influence is solicited.

OddBeMe · Answer

Intent to harm, or do more for one person instead of the other.  I can give you a sales pitch on a new AC. But some manipulate to go into debt on the most expensive instead of what is needed.

Jennz6 · Answer

You can have a good influence on people. Manipulation is influencing people for reasons other than their own benefit

es20490446e · Answer

Manipulation is using deception to make a person do something that is against their will or best interest.

Agape93 · Answer

Influence is the ability to sway opinions or acts. Manipulation is the act of doing so.

Zayed_ · Answer

Manipulation is a bit forced and direct. Influence is a bit less direct and less pressured

Snakeyes7 · Answer

They're the same thing, manipulation is more negative and the influence could be used for both good and bad.

msc545 · Answer

Influence is persuasion. Manipulation is coercion.

TallAnon · Answer

Manipulation has malicious intent. Intent is very important, even in the court of law.

malwins · Answer

Its not so haed to manipulate somebody bevause hardly anybod is lacking in needs!!!

genericname85 · Answer

i would say influence is to manipulation what correlation is to causation.

PainusNdeeAnus · Answer

Influence - motivates and inspires  manipulation - deceives and controls

Paul09 · Answer

Influencers you choose to follow. Manipulators trick you into thinking their way.

boobliker · Answer

I have no idea!

What's the difference between influence and manipulation?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

What's the difference between influence and manipulation?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.