Affect and effect are two of the most important words in philosophy and psychology. They are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two.
Affect is about the state of a person or thing, while effect is about the result of an action. For example, if I hit you, the affect is the pain and discomfort that I caused you. The effect is the physical response that you have, such as being knocked down.
Affect is also about how a person feels, while effect is about what happens. For example, if I yell at you, the affect is the anger that I feel. The effect is the change in your behavior, such as your retreating or becoming defensive.
Affect is often described as the feeling state of a person or thing, while effect is the state of something after an action has been taken.
