The academic study of media effects is also known as:

The academic study of media effects refers to the investigation of how media influence individuals and society, examining changes in attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions resulting from media exposure. This focus on the direct outcomes of media consumption is commonly referred to as effects research.

Effects research encompasses various methodologies and theoretical frameworks aimed at understanding the specific impacts, whether they are cognitive, emotional, or behavioral, that media may have on audiences. This field has developed over decades, examining phenomena such as the relationship between media violence and aggressive behavior, the impact of advertising on consumer choices, and the way news media shapes public opinion.

The other terms, while related to aspects of media and communication studies, do not specifically denote the study of media effects. Critical theory typically analyzes the cultural and philosophical implications of media, media sociology investigates the social contexts of media production and consumption, and audience studies focus more broadly on how different audience demographics interpret and engage with media content. Therefore, the precise focus on the outcomes of media exposure aligns best with the term effects research.