Which of the following poses the greatest threat to the credibility of children's recollections of sexual abuse?

The greatest threat to the credibility of children's recollections of sexual abuse is the misinformation effect. This phenomenon occurs when a person's memory of an event is altered by incorrect information presented after the event. In the context of children's memories, external influences such as leading questions, suggestive interviewing techniques, or exposure to misleading information can significantly distort their recollections.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the misinformation effect due to their developmental stage, which makes them more susceptible to suggestion and less able to critically evaluate the accuracy of the information they receive. As a result, when questioning children about traumatic events like sexual abuse, the way questions are framed and the types of information provided can lead to inaccuracies in their memories. This makes the integrity of their testimonies potentially questionable, impacting both their credibility and the pursuit of justice in such sensitive cases.