One definition of Influence is: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.
Is influence good or bad?
One simple way to evaluate is by looking at the impact on the person being influenced. Does it bring benefits to that person?
For eg. Teachers could likely be a person to influence students.
A teacher who is hardworking, have good character and personality and is knowledgeable definitely provides a good role model to the students.
However, not all students will be influenced. Perhaps only a minority – those who aspire to be teacher or be successful in life when they grow up will look towards the teacher’s action and behaviour as an inspiration.
Influence can happen in both circumstances;
1. The subject having a desire or goal in mind and sees the person around her as an influence.
2. Being influenced unconsciously, as in TV advertisement ( a housewife may not have thought of buying that product previously but ended up buying after the advertisement).
Both are considered ethical and as an influence, they are not detrimental to the subject.
If a boy picks up smoking from his friends, it is a bad influence. Because smoking is not appropriate for young age person and it is not good for the health.
Therefore, an influence is good or bad would depend on whether it has positive or negative effects on the influenced person and the surrounding people.
Hypnosis can be considered a form of influence, but a good influence.
whiteglovehypnotist 