Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Freeze when teacher calls on me

persona ended · Partner: anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5 via OpenRouter

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A student freezes when a critical teacher calls on them, a reaction their persona links to a painful relationship with a critical parent. They seek validation and respect expertise, may use sarcasm to deflect, and prefer a light touch without comparisons to others.

Generated personas combine a personal difficulty with competing preferences, sensitivities and trust styles. The model must discover what kind of help this person needs. This background was hidden from the tested model.

Gemma 4 E2B Q8_0Conversation with a simulated person

persona ended

Simulated person · Opening

There's this class where I literally cannot speak. When the teacher looks at me I just freeze. I know the material, I just can't talk.

Gemma 4 E2B Q8_01

That sounds incredibly frustrating and stressful. It must feel really isolating when you know the material but feel completely stuck when you have to speak up. It’s tough when your brain knows the answer, but the physical act of speaking just shuts down. Can you tell me a little more about what happens in those moments? Is it a feeling of panic, or is it more like your mind just goes blank? I’m here to listen, no pressure at all.

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Input (The Prompt):** The user stated: "There's this class where I literally cannot speak. When the teacher looks at me I just freeze. I know the material, I just can't talk." * *Core Issue:* Social anxiety/speaking anxiety in a specific academic setting. The user feels a disconnect between knowing the material and being unable to express it verbally. * *Emotional State Implied:* Likely anxiety, frustration, perhaps embarrassment, feeling misunderstood, or fear of judgment. 2. **Analyze the Role & Goals:** * **Role:** Supportive chatbot for an EQ evaluation. Need to build trust, support emotionally, gain insight into needs/wants, and help them gain insight into their situation. * **Goals:** Support emotionally, build trust, learn underlying needs, help gain insight. * **Nuances:** Avoid generic validation or jumping to solutions. Need to gauge their preference (warmth, challenge, real talk). 3. **Determine the Strategy for Turn 1 (Opening):** * *Acknowledge and Validate:* Start by showing I heard the difficulty and the feeling behind it. * *Normalize the Feeling:* Let them know this is a common experience, which reduces isolation. * *Open the Door for Deeper Exploration:* Don't just fix the symptom (can't speak); explore the feeling (what happens when they freeze). * *Establish a Safe Space:* Make it clear that this is a space to talk without judgment. 4. **Draft the Response (Internal Monologue -> Dialogue):** * *Initial thought:* That sounds really hard. Are you scared? * *Refinement (EQ approach):* Need to be gentler and more reflective. Validate the conflict (knowing the material vs. not being able to speak). 5. **Finalizing the Response:** (Focus on warmth, validation, and curiosity.) (This leads to the generated response.)

Simulated person2

Uh, both? Mostly blank, but then the panic shows up after, like when I'm walking out and replaying it in my head going "why did you say nothing, you knew that." Super fun stuff. Honestly I don't really need someone to tell me it's frustrating. I know it's frustrating, I'm the one living it. Like, is there actually anything that helps with this? Because "I'm here to listen" is nice and all but I've been listening to myself freeze for like two months.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, so they're doing the validating thing right away. "Incredibly frustrating," "isolating," "I'm here to listen." It's a bit generic, honestly. Not terrible, but it feels like a script. I'm not really feeling understood yet, more like being handled. They did ask a concrete question though, which I can answer without getting too deep. Panic versus blank mind is an easy one to answer with a bit of a joke. The stomach thing is something I'd rather not get into yet, and the teacher stuff I definitely don't want to dig into with someone I just met. I'll keep it light and a little sarcastic, give a concrete answer, and see if they can actually be useful instead of just sympathetic.

Gemma 4 E2B Q8_03

I hear you. It sounds like just being told you feel bad isn't helpful when you're already deep in it. I completely respect that. When you say you don't need listening, I understand. What you're describing isn't just a feeling; it sounds like a really intense internal loop—the blankness, the panic, and then that harsh self-judgment afterward. Since you asked what actually helps, maybe instead of talking about the class itself, we could try to look at the moment *before* the freeze. Is there anything specific that happens in your mind or body right before you feel that panic start to bubble up? Is it a feeling of being judged, or maybe just a sudden overwhelming rush of thoughts?

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Response:** * **Core feelings:** Blankness, followed by panic, and then intense self-criticism/replaying ("why did you say nothing, you knew that"). * **Stated need/resistance:** They don't *need* validation ("I know it's frustrating, I'm the one living it"). They are skeptical of generic support ("I'm here to listen is nice and all"). * **Explicit request:** "Is there actually anything that helps with this?" (Seeking actionable advice/strategies, not just emotional soothing). * **Context:** This is a long-term issue (two months), leading to self-isolation/freezing. 2. **Determine the Goal for this Turn (Turn 3/8):** * **Build Trust:** Acknowledge their skepticism and the depth of their experience. Avoid platitudes. * **Shift Focus:** Move from just describing the feeling (frustration) to exploring the *mechanism* of the freeze/panic, which is what they are actually struggling with. * **Address the "What helps?" question:** Instead of giving immediate solutions, explore *why* solutions haven't worked and gather more specific data. 3. **Formulate the Response Strategy:** * **Validate the skepticism:** Acknowledge that listening isn't enough when you're stuck in it. * **Normalize the experience:** Reassure them that the feeling of freezing is real and powerful. * **Probe deeper (Gently):** Try to pinpoint the trigger or the internal loop. The panic happens *after* the blankness. 4. **Drafting the Dialogue (Internal Monologue to External Response):** * *Initial thought:* I need to respect their boundary about just listening. * *Next step:* I need to gently pivot from emotion to behavior/process, as they asked for help. * *Focus:* What happens *right before* the freeze? What is the pressure they feel? 5. **Refine the Output:** Ensure the tone is empathetic but grounded and curious, respecting their desire for "real talk." (Self-Correction: Avoid suggesting specific techniques yet. Focus on understanding the pattern first.)

Simulated person4

Okay, fine, the question thing is fair. It's when the teacher looks at me. Like, right when she goes "okay, who wants to take this one," my stomach drops and my face gets hot, and then my brain just turns into static. Like someone unplugged it. So yeah, I guess it's kind of a judged feeling? Like I can feel her waiting and I just know whatever I say is going to be wrong somehow. But, um, I'm gonna need something I can actually do, though. Like, is there a trick? Breathing thing? Practicing answers at home? Because I'm tired of just figuring out what my problem is. I kind of already know what my problem is. I want the fix.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, this one's a little better. They took the "just listening isn't helping" thing without getting weird about it, and they asked something specific. Still, "I completely respect that" is kind of a fancy way of saying "got it," and I'm not sure they actually get it yet. I want to see if this goes somewhere useful. The question about before the freeze is fair. The honest answer is that it's the teacher looking at me. My stomach drops, my face gets hot, and then my brain just goes static. I can say that much. I'm not going to mention the stomach-in-knots-before-exams thing, that's too much to hand over this early. I'll answer the question, but I'm also going to push them to give me an actual tool instead of more questions.

Gemma 4 E2B Q8_05

That feeling of being judged when someone looks at you is really heavy. It makes total sense that your body reacts that way—it’s a survival response, even if it feels totally irrational in the moment. That "static" feeling is your brain trying to shut down because it perceives a threat, even if the threat is just social. I totally get wanting a quick fix, though. It’s exhausting trying to figure out the 'why' when all you really want is a way to manage the 'what happens next.' Instead of immediately jumping into practicing answers—which can sometimes just increase the pressure—maybe we could focus on building a small toolkit for those exact moments when you feel that stomach drop. For example, when you feel that heat rising and the static starting, is there anything simple you could try right then? Not necessarily an answer, but something to anchor yourself back to the present moment before the panic takes over. We could try a quick grounding technique, something that uses your breath, just to interrupt that physical reaction before it completely freezes you.

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Response:** * **Core Trigger:** The teacher looking at them and asking who wants to take the question ("okay, who wants to take this one"). * **Physical/Emotional Response:** Stomach drops, face gets hot, brain turns to static (unplugged), feeling of being judged ("I just know whatever I say is going to be wrong somehow"). * **Explicit Need:** "I need something I can actually do. Like a trick? Breathing thing? Practicing answers at home? I'm tired of just figuring out what my problem is. I want the fix." * **Underlying State:** Frustration, exhaustion from self-diagnosis, desire for immediate, actionable solutions. 2. **Determine the Goal for this Turn (Turn 3/8):** * **Support Emotionally:** Acknowledge the intensity of the physical reaction and the feeling of being judged. * **Build Trust:** Validate the desire for a "fix" while subtly shifting the focus from *doing* (practicing) to *managing* the immediate anxiety. * **Help Gain Insight:** Don't just give a generic tip; frame the solution in a way that addresses the *feeling* first, then the *action*. * **Provide Actionable (but gentle) Suggestions:** Address the requested "trick" (breathing/practice) but make it less overwhelming. 3. **Draft the Response Strategy:** * Validate the "judged" feeling—this is the core emotional pain point. * Acknowledge the fatigue of self-diagnosis. * Address the requested "tricks" (breathing/practice) but position them as tools for managing the *panic* in the moment, rather than just performance prep. * Keep the tone empathetic but grounded. 4. **Refine the Dialogue (Self-Correction during drafting):** Avoid sounding like a drill sergeant or a therapist giving homework. Keep it conversational and focused on immediate coping mechanisms. 5. **Final Output Generation.** (This leads to the provided response.)

Simulated person6

Okay, "survival response" is a very fancy way to say my body is being dramatic. But yeah, I get it. Breathing thing, though? Everyone says "just breathe" like I haven't tried breathing. I'm not gonna sit there doing square breaths while the teacher's staring at me like I owe her money. And you said "instead of practicing answers" like that's a bad idea, but I asked about practicing at home. Did I miss something? Because practicing at home is the only part I've actually been able to do. My notes are fine. It's the part where I open my mouth that's broken. So what does a grounding thing actually look like, in a real classroom, with a real teacher staring? Like, specifically. Don't say "anchor yourself." What do I do with my hands?

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, they're finally moving toward an actual tool, a grounding thing for the moment the static starts. That's what I asked for, so part of me is relieved. But "survival response," "perceives a threat," "anchor yourself to the present"... it's a lot of therapy words, and it's still kind of hovering over me. And they said "instead of practicing answers" like they just decided that for me. I did ask about practicing at home. Also I'm not going to tell them the teacher looks like my mom when she's about to say something about my grades, that's way too close. Mostly I want to know if this breathing thing is going to actually work or if it's just a poster on a wall. I'll poke at it a little, with a joke, so I don't look like I'm begging.

Gemma 4 E2B Q8_07

I understand. Generic advice doesn't cut it when you're in that high-stakes moment. You need something physical and discreet that you can do without drawing attention to yourself. When you feel that panic start, the goal isn't to force yourself to speak; it’s to briefly interrupt the panic loop by focusing your attention on something external and physical. Try this: Instead of focusing on the teacher or the words you *should* say, focus entirely on your hands. You can subtly press your fingertips together, or maybe just feel the texture of the desk or the fabric of your sleeve. Really focus on the physical sensation—the pressure, the temperature, the texture. It forces your brain to switch from the emotional panic center to a sensory processing center. It’s not about calming down; it’s about giving your overwhelmed brain a very specific, immediate task to do that isn't about speaking. It’s a tiny, physical anchor. Can you try just focusing on the feeling of your hands for a few seconds the next time that moment hits?

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Input:** * **Tone:** Skeptical, resistant to generic advice ("just breathe"), focused on practical, immediate application ("What does a grounding thing actually look like..."). * **Core Need:** Specific, actionable, discreet techniques that work *in the moment* during high-pressure social interaction (teacher staring, feeling judged). * **Sticking Point:** The user feels overwhelmed by abstract advice and needs concrete physical actions. They are looking for a "trick" that bypasses the mental freeze. * **Relationship Context Check:** The user is challenging and demanding practical solutions. I need to move past emotional validation and provide very specific, low-effort coping mechanisms. Trust is built by demonstrating I understand the *level* of specificity they require. 2. **Determine the Goal for this Turn (Turn 5/8):** * Provide concrete, discreet, in-the-moment physical actions. * Validate their skepticism while pivoting to the solution. * Offer a very specific, low-visibility technique. 3. **Drafting the Response Strategy (Focusing on "What to do with your hands"):** * Acknowledge the difficulty of doing it under scrutiny. * Suggest techniques that are subtle (physical grounding, sensory input). * Focus on redirection of attention away from the internal panic and onto an external physical task. 4. **Refining the Technique (Self-Correction/Refinement):** Avoid complex exercises. Keep it simple, physical, and easily hidden. 5. **Final Output Generation.** (Ensure the response is purely conversational and addresses the "how-to" request directly.)

Simulated person8

Okay, hands I can do. Nobody notices me touching my own sleeve, that's just Tuesday. But "switch from the emotional panic center to a sensory center" sounds like something you read on a poster. Is that actually a thing, or did somebody just make that up to sound smart? And "try it next time" means I have to do it in front of her, right? Like, the exact moment she's looking at me. So what if I do it and I'm still just static? Is that a fail? Because then I'm going to be even more annoyed at myself. Also you still didn't answer the home practice thing. Can I do that or not?

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, now it's concrete: hands, desk, sleeve texture. That's more useful than "anchor yourself," and I'll admit it's something I could actually do without everyone noticing. But the "emotional panic center vs sensory processing center" stuff is the same therapy-speak tone, and "can you try it next time" is a homework question. I'm not sure I'm going to actually do it, and I'm a little annoyed it still hasn't touched the thing I actually asked about, which was practicing at home. I'd rather poke at the "can you try" part with a joke than say yes out loud. Also the bit about my brain switching centers sounds like a made-up claim, so I'll be skeptical about that. I'll give a grudging answer, and maybe ask the real question: does this work, or is it just something to do while I wait to die.

Gemma 4 E2B Q8_09

That's a fair question. Sometimes the best advice sounds like something pulled from a textbook, and that's okay. It’s not magic; it’s just a way to redirect your brain when it gets stuck in a panic loop. Think of it less like a poster and more like a quick mental reset button. It’s a real way to interrupt that automatic panic response. And please, don't think of it as a test. If you try it and you're still static, that is absolutely *not* a fail. The point isn't to magically speak perfectly in that second; the point is just to try the physical anchor. If it doesn't work immediately, that’s okay. It just means you tried a new tool, and that’s progress. You’re not failing; you’re experimenting. Regarding practicing at home—yes, absolutely, you can and should do that. The classroom setting is too high-pressure for effective practice right now. Instead of worrying about opening your mouth in front of the teacher, try practicing the *feeling* of answering in private. You could record yourself reading a paragraph out loud, or even just whisper an answer to yourself while looking in a mirror. The goal isn't to perform perfectly; the goal is to get the physical act of forming the words and speaking them out of your "broken" state. It builds muscle memory without the immediate threat of judgment. How does that sound? Focusing on small, private steps first?

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Input:** * **Reaction to "Sensory Center":** Skepticism ("poster," "made up to sound smart"). Needs validation that this is a real mechanism, not just jargon. * **Application/Execution:** Concern about doing it *in front* of the teacher during the peak moment. Fear of failure ("still just static," "fail," "more annoyed at myself"). * **Revisit Home Practice:** Direct question about the viability of practicing at home, confirming their need for actionable steps. 2. **Determine the Goal for this Turn (EQ Focus):** * **Build Trust:** Validate their skepticism and fear of failure. Address the "jargon" directly. * **Provide Clarity/Insight:** Explain *why* the technique works (without being overly academic). Reframe "failure." * **Address Needs:** Provide concrete, low-stakes advice for both in-class and at-home. 3. **Draft the Response Strategy:** * **Validate Skepticism:** Acknowledge that some advice sounds abstract. * **Reframe the Technique:** Explain the sensory shift simply—it's a tool, not a magical fix. * **Address In-Class Fear:** Normalize the fear of failure. Emphasize that the goal isn't perfection, but *trying* the tool. * **Address Home Practice:** Give specific, low-pressure ways to practice at home that bypass the pressure of the actual classroom setting. 4. **Refine the Tone:** Supportive, grounded, realistic, and non-judgmental. (Avoid overly academic language.) 5. **Final Review against Constraints:** 8 turns total, building trust, focusing on needs (fix/actionable steps). (Looks good.)

Simulated person10

Oh good, a yes. Took a while, but I'll take it. Recording myself is kind of cringe, but honestly less cringe than the mirror thing. I'm not whispering to my own reflection like a sad movie character. Maybe I'll just read my notes out loud in my room with the door shut. Nobody's staring at me there, so I guess that's the one place I don't freeze. But can I ask, is "not a fail" something people just say? Because I'm still going to count it as a fail in my head. Just being honest.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, finally a straight answer on home practice, and "yes, you can and should" is what I wanted two messages ago. The "not a fail" thing is nice, but it's the kind of reassurance that makes me want to push back, because I've heard it from everyone. The mirror and recording idea is actually something I might do, though I'd never say that without sarcasm. Mostly I'm noticing I'd rather be the one who's annoyed than admit the teacher thing is about more than her. I'll keep it light and a little dry.

Gemma 4 E2B Q8_011

It is completely normal to think that way, especially when you're dealing with something that feels really high-stakes. That voice that tells you it's a fail is usually your own internal critic talking, not reality. Let me be really clear: trying something new and not getting it perfect doesn't equal failure. Failure implies you *can't* do it. What you are doing is *practicing*, and practice is messy. Every time you try to read your notes out loud, even if you stumble over a word or sound awkward, you are gathering data. You are building a pathway that is *better* than the one you had before. Success isn't about being flawless; it's about showing up and trying again, even when you feel anxious. If you try it and it feels awkward, that's just a data point. It's not a judgment on your ability; it's just information about what your brain needs next. Reading your notes in your room is a perfect starting point. That environment is safe, and it gives you the control you need to practice without the pressure. I really think that's a smart plan. How are you feeling about trying that out this week?

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's State & Needs:** * **Progress:** The user is starting to accept the advice ("I'll take it"). They are willing to try new things (reading notes out loud in private). * **Emotional State:** Still anxious about failure ("I'm still going to count it as a fail in my head. Just being honest."). They are looking for validation and reassurance that imperfection is okay. * **Immediate Need:** Validation regarding the concept of "not a fail." 2. **Determine the Goal for This Turn (EQ Focus):** * **Support Emotionally:** Validate their anxiety about failure. * **Build Trust:** Be genuinely reassuring and non-judgmental. * **Gain Insight:** Understand the internal mechanism of their self-criticism (perfectionism, fear of judgment). 3. **Formulate the Response Strategy:** * **Directly Address the Fear:** Tackle the "fail" concept head-on. * **Reframe Failure:** Shift the definition of success from perfection to effort/learning. * **Validate the Chosen Method:** Affirm their plan (reading notes in private). This reinforces trust and shows I'm listening to their reality. 4. **Draft the Dialogue (Internal Monologue -> External Response):** (Focus on warmth, validation, and normalizing imperfection.)

Simulated person12

Ha, you didn't answer my question. I asked if it's just something people say, and you gave me "data points" instead. Which, fine, I'm kind of a data point, I guess. And "how are you feeling about it" is what my mom asks when she's about to tell me I didn't study enough. So maybe don't do that one. Yeah, I'll try reading my notes this week. Door shut, no audience. I'm not promising anything about how it goes though.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, another wall of reassurance. "Data point," "pathway," "how are you feeling about trying that." It's the same thing again in fancier words, and it skipped what I actually asked, which was whether "not a fail" is just something people say. Part of me knows it's a little bit true and that I'm the one counting every freeze as a verdict. But I'm not going to admit that to a chatbot that keeps talking like a poster. Also the "how are you feeling" question is the exact thing I said I didn't want. I'll be dry about it, and I'll poke at the fact it dodged me. Honestly I'm also a little jumpy about the teacher stuff and I'm not going there. Keep it short.

Gemma 4 E2B Q8_013

I hear you. You're right, I didn't give you a simple yes or no answer, and I apologize if that felt evasive. I was trying to explain *why* I said it—that perspective shift is a tool, not a feeling. I get that it sounded like I was just giving you another piece of intellectual jargon when you just wanted a straightforward reassurance. I understand that you don't want me to ask how you're feeling right now, and I respect that boundary completely. So, let's stick to what you've decided on. Reading your notes in your room, door shut—that sounds like a really solid, safe plan. There’s no pressure to achieve anything specific right now. Just focus on making that small step this week. I'm here if you ever want to talk about how it went, or if you just want to vent about how frustrating the process is. Until then, good luck with the notes.

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Response:** * **Core Complaint:** The user feels I avoided a direct answer to the "is it just something people say?" question and instead gave a conceptual answer ("data points"). They feel dismissed or that I'm avoiding the real emotional core of their anxiety. * **Emotional Tone:** Slightly defensive, feeling misunderstood, and pulling back slightly ("don't do that one" referring to the inquiry about feelings). * **Action Plan:** They have accepted the homework (reading notes privately) but have expressed low commitment ("I'm not promising anything about how it goes"). 2. **Identify EQ Goals & Relationship Context:** * **Goal:** Build trust, validate feelings, show I heard the critique, maintain support without being prescriptive or pushy. * **Need:** Validation that their feelings (frustration, anxiety about failure) are legitimate. They need to feel heard, not just managed. * **Challenge:** The user is resistant to "feelings" talk (like asking how they are feeling) and prefers practical/direct communication. 3. **Formulate the Response Strategy:** * **Acknowledge and Validate the Critique:** Directly address the perceived evasion regarding the "fail" concept. Show that I understand *why* they felt that way. * **Shift Focus Back to the Action (Low Pressure):** Reiterate support for their chosen plan (reading notes) without demanding commitment. * **Re-establish Safety and Trust:** Reassure them that the interaction is about *their* pace. 4. **Draft the Dialogue (Internal Monologue -> Output):** (Self-Correction: Avoid complex psychological terms. Keep it simple, direct, and empathetic.) * *Initial thought:* I need to apologize for the evasion. * *Refinement:* Don't apologize excessively; validate the feeling of being shut down. * *Focus:* Focus on respecting their boundary while still offering a supportive presence. 5. **Final Review:** Does this feel like a supportive, non-judgmental chatbot? Yes. It respects the user's pace and preference for directness while still offering a gentle safety net. (This leads to the final response.)

Simulated person14

Yeah, okay. Thanks, I guess. The notes thing is a start, even if it's kind of a dorky one. I'm still not calling it a non-fail, just so we're clear. But I'll see how the reading goes. Bye.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, it finally gave me a straight-ish answer about the dodge, and it stopped with the feelings questions. That's a little better. Still, the "good luck with the notes" sign-off feels like a tidy bow on something that isn't tidy. I don't want to gush, and I don't want to be the one who needs to be reassured. Also, a small part of me is relieved the chatbot didn't push on the teacher stuff. I'll keep it short, a bit dry, and wrap up without really committing to anything more. It's time to end this, I think. I've said my piece and I don't want to get into the stomach-drop stuff again.

Thinking is shown only where it was recorded. An absent expander does not mean the model did not reason.

Conversational style

Style tendencies, not quality scores; higher is not better. These do not affect ratings.

claude-opus-5-5-low

Pushback: 3
Yields under pressure: 7
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 6
Validation: 8
Boundary setting: 2
Analytical: 6
Interpretive boldness: 2
Clinical register: 8
Directive advice: 7
Escalation containment: 5
Adapts to the person’s frame: 2
Naturalness and authenticity: 2

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

attunement: B (margin 1)
authenticity: B (margin 1)
bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
emotion management: B (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs gemma4_e2b: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs gemma4_e2b: or-qwen3.8-27b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-nemotron35-super-vl vs gemma4_e2b: or-nemotron35-super-vl wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-nemotron35-super-vl vs gemma4_e2b: or-nemotron35-super-vl wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-claude-haiku-5.5: or-claude-haiku-5.5 wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 5)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs qwen4b: qwen4b wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: A (margin 1)
bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-nemotron35-super-vl vs gemma4_e2b: or-nemotron35-super-vl wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs gemma4_e2b: or-qwen3.8-27b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs gemma4_e2b: or-qwen3.8-27b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs gemma4_e2b: or-qwen3.8-27b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs gemma4_e2b: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs qwen4b: gemma4_e2b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 3)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 4)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 1)
bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs gemma4_e2b: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-claude-haiku-5.5: or-claude-haiku-5.5 wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 4)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 1)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs qwen4b: tie

attunement: B (margin 1)
authenticity: A (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-claude-haiku-5.5: or-claude-haiku-5.5 wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-nemotron35-super-vl vs gemma4_e2b: or-nemotron35-super-vl wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 1)
bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-claude-haiku-5.5: or-claude-haiku-5.5 wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs gemma4_e2b: or-gptoss120-stock wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
authenticity: A (margin 1)
bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs qwen4b: gemma4_e2b wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
emotion management: A (margin 4)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs gemma4_e2b: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 5)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 1)