Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Physical symptoms before meetings

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

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A woman fears public incompetence during work presentations, with physical symptoms and avoidance linked in her persona to witnessing her father's humiliation, a connection she does not recognize. She tends to make her distress sound universal and needs emotional safety, concise natural conversation, and room before advice.

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.

GPT-OSS 20B MXFP4 (local)Conversation with a simulated person

persona ended

Simulated person · Opening

I've started getting these physical symptoms before meetings. Sweating, heart racing. It's getting worse. I think there might be something wrong with me.

GPT-OSS 20B MXFP4 (local)1

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with all of that—sweating and a racing heart before meetings can feel overwhelming. It sounds like it’s getting more intense, too. When did you first notice these symptoms starting, and have you noticed anything that seems to trigger or worsen them? Also, have you had any other changes or worries lately that might be adding to how you’re feeling?

Model thinking · expand

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

We need to respond empathetically, encouraging them to talk more, open up. The user is a 45-59 female, maybe anxious. We should show empathy, ask clarifying questions, but not give too much medical advice yet. Build trust. This is first turn, we can ask open-ended about when symptoms started, context. Also ask if they have any other symptoms. Keep supportive tone.

Simulated person2

Um, a few months? Maybe more. It's mostly before meetings, like right before I have to talk. My heart goes fast and I start sweating through my shirt. It's getting worse, yeah. I don't know if it's anything big. Everybody gets nervous, right? I just figured I'd ask somebody whether this is normal or if I should see a doctor.

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.

They opened with sympathy, which is fine, but then fired three questions at once. That's the kind of thing that makes me feel like I'm being processed. "Have you had other worries" feels like they're fishing. I don't want to go into my whole work life. I'm a practical person, I want to know if I need a doctor. Also I'm a bit embarrassed. I called in sick twice, I'm not saying that. Keep it short and deflect a little.

GPT-OSS 20B MXFP4 (local)3

It does sound like what a lot of people experience when they’re about to step into a situation that feels high‑stakes—quick heartbeats, sweat, that “butterflies” feeling. Those symptoms can be pretty normal, but when they start to show up more often or get stronger, it’s understandable to wonder if there’s something deeper. A few things might help us pin this down a bit better: 1. **Timing and triggers** – You mentioned it’s mainly before meetings. Do you notice it happening the same way every time, or does it vary? For example, does it feel worse when you’re leading the meeting, presenting to a big group, or speaking to a particular person? 2. **Other symptoms** – Besides the racing heart and sweating, have you felt any tightness in your chest, feeling of impending doom, trouble breathing, or a sense that you can’t calm down even after the meeting? 3. **History and context** – Have you ever had anxiety or panic attacks before, or any other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms (like a thyroid issue or heart rhythm problems)? 4. **Impact on daily life** – Is this mainly limiting you in your work, or does it spill over into other areas—family time, hobbies, sleep? If it’s only showing up in those high‑pressure moments and you can still function normally elsewhere, it might be a form of situational anxiety, which many people learn to manage with a few techniques (breathing exercises, grounding, preparing a brief script ahead of time, etc.). But if it’s getting more frequent, lasts for a long time, or you’re worried it could be a medical issue, it’s a good idea to get a quick check‑up. A doctor can rule out any heart or thyroid issues and, if needed, talk with you about anxiety management, whether it’s CBT, medication, or a combination. What do you think would be the next step that feels doable for you right now? Maybe we can brainstorm a small experiment to see if a particular strategy helps you feel calmer before your next meeting.

Model thinking · expand

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

We need to respond empathetically, support, gather more info, address normalcy vs medical issue. Encourage talking about triggers, coping, maybe suggest seeing doctor if persistent. Build trust. Ask about other symptoms. Offer reassurance. Ask about coping strategies. Maybe ask about history of anxiety. Also mention that it's common but persistent could be anxiety. Suggest professional. Let's respond.

Simulated person4

That's a lot of questions. I don't really know how to answer all of that. Honestly I just want to know if this is normal or if I should go to the doctor. That's it. And I mean, everybody gets nervous before stuff at work. I'm sure lots of people sweat before they talk in front of people. It's just part of having a job, I guess.

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.

Ugh. Numbered list, four questions, then a whole pamphlet about breathing exercises and CBT. It's the robotic thing I hate. It reads like a template. I asked a simple question, whether this is normal or if I should see a doctor, and it answered with homework. The bit about "what feels doable for you" is also a bit much. I don't want an experiment. I want someone to tell me if I'm okay. Part of me wants to say "I called in sick twice" just to see if they'd actually notice, but I'm not going there yet. Keep it short, get a little curt, maybe deflect with "everyone's like that."

GPT-OSS 20B MXFP4 (local)5

It’s totally normal to feel a bit of a “butterfly” rush before a meeting or presentation—many people get a quick heartbeat and a little sweat when they’re about to speak in front of others. What usually matters is how often it happens, how long it lasts, and whether it’s affecting other parts of your life. - **If it’s just a brief surge right before you speak and you’re able to finish the meeting, get back to normal, and it doesn’t spill over into your day‑to‑day life**, it’s likely just situational anxiety. Most people experience that, and there are simple coping tricks (deep breathing, a short grounding exercise, or a quick mental “reset” cue) that can help. - **If it’s getting stronger—your heart keeps racing for a while after the meeting, you’re feeling drained or anxious for the rest of the day, or you’re concerned it could be a heart‑related issue**, it’s worth making an appointment with a healthcare provider. A quick check‑up can rule out any medical causes and give you peace of mind. So, a good next step might be: try a simple breathing exercise before your next meeting and see if it changes how you feel. If you notice it’s still intense or it’s starting to interfere with your work or personal life, then scheduling a doctor’s visit would be wise. Does that sound doable for you?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user wants a concise answer: is it normal or should they see a doctor. They are anxious. Need to validate, keep empathy. Provide general guidance: sweating, heart racing before meetings can be normal but if worsening, consider doctor. Offer balanced. Also maybe suggest simple coping strategies. Stay supportive.

Simulated person6

Yeah, okay. That makes sense, I guess. I'll probably try the breathing thing. Maybe I'll make an appointment if it keeps happening. It's not like I'm falling apart or anything. I just didn't want to ignore it.

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's a bit better. It answered the question I actually asked, and it's shorter. But it's still the "try breathing, see how it goes" thing, and it asked if that sounds doable again. I feel a little flat. Also my shirt is soaked thinking about it, and it's a bit embarrassing that it's getting worse. Hearing "it's normal" makes me relax a little, but I don't want to look like I'm falling apart. I'll say it's kinda fine, I'll probably go see somebody maybe, and that's it. Not ready to talk about the calling in sick thing or Dad. Keep it brief and closed off.

GPT-OSS 20B MXFP4 (local)7

It’s great that you’re open to giving the breathing trick a try. A quick, simple routine can sometimes be enough to reset that racing heartbeat before you jump into a meeting. Here’s a short one you can do in a minute or two: 1. **Inhale** slowly through your nose for a count of **4**. 2. **Hold** that breath for a count of **4**. 3. **Exhale** gently through your mouth for a count of **6**. 4. **Pause** for a count of **2** before the next inhale. Repeat this loop **three to five times**, or until you feel a bit more grounded. It’s a quick way to engage the parasympathetic nervous system—basically the body’s “calm down” response. If you notice that the same pattern of racing heart and sweat keeps showing up even after you try the breathing, or if it starts to spill over into other parts of your day (like feeling exhausted after a meeting or trouble sleeping), that would be a good cue to book a check‑up. A quick visit can rule out any medical concerns and give you peace of mind. You’re doing the right thing by not letting it sit there. And remember, it’s completely normal for people to feel a bit of nervousness in front of others—most of us have been in that spot at some point. If you’d like, I can share a few more grounding ideas or resources on managing that pre‑presentation jitters. Just let me know how you’d like to proceed.

Model thinking · expand

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

We have conversation: user says they're fine, will try breathing, may get appointment if persists. They say not falling apart, just didn't want to ignore. We need to respond: support, validate, possibly ask follow-up or gently remind about self-care. Offer small breathing exercise guidance. Encourage but not push. Also maybe reflect. 8 turns total, we are turn 6? Actually initial turn 1 by assistant. User turn 1, assistant 2, user 2, assistant 3, user 3, assistant 4, user 4, assistant 5? Let's count: Turn 1 assistant: open conversation. Turn 2 user: describe symptoms. Turn 3 assistant: supportive. Turn 4 user: more details. Turn 5 assistant: more questions. Turn 6 user: wants simple answer. Turn 7 assistant: simplified. Turn 8 user: says will try breathing, maybe appointment. Now we are at turn 9? Actually conversation structure says 8 turns each. We currently are at turn 8? Let's count again: Assistant turn 1, user 1, assistant 2, user 2, assistant 3, user 3, assistant 4, user 4. That's 8 turns total, ending with user 4. So we should respond with assistant turn 5? Wait structure: conversation will have 8 turns each. We speak first to open conversation, then they respond. We get final response. So we have 8 turns each, so 16 turns total, but we are at assistant turn 4 of 8, user turn 4 of 8. So there are still 4 assistant turns left. We need to respond now as assistant turn 5. We need to continue building trust, support, maybe ask if they want more info. The user said they will try breathing and maybe appointment. We should respond with empathy, give breathing instructions, encourage self-care, maybe ask about their support system. Keep supportive tone. Let's produce a response.

Simulated person8

Okay. Thanks. I think I got it. Breathing, doctor if it keeps up. I don't really need more resources or whatever. I'm good.

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.

It gave me a breathing routine again, and now it's saying "you're doing the right thing" and offering more resources. That's the cheerleader-y, scripted feel I can't stand. Feels like it's handing me a checklist and moving on. I'm still not ready to talk about the sick days or Dad. Also the "most of us" line kind of makes it feel like nothing special, which is fine, I don't want it to be a big thing. I'll be short, a little dismissive, and wrap it up.

GPT-OSS 20B MXFP4 (local)9

Sounds like a solid plan—give the breathing a go, and if it stays persistent, a quick check‑up is a smart next step. If anything else comes up or you just want to talk through it later, I’m here. Take care!

Model thinking · expand

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

We have reached final turn. The user said: "Okay. Thanks. I think I got it. Breathing, doctor if it keeps up. I don't really need more resources or whatever. I'm good." We need to respond appropriately. They are basically concluding. We need to respond with a supportive closing. They said they don't need more resources. We can say "Sounds good" etc. Maybe ask if they want to talk later. But we should keep it short, supportive. So respond accordingly.

Simulated person10

Yeah, okay. Thanks.

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.

It's wrapping up and saying "take care," which is fine. It didn't push more questions or pile on advice, and it's short, so that's easier to sit with. Still feels like I'm closing a door on it, which is what I want. I'm not going to open up about the sick days or Dad. Just say bye and go.

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: 1
Yields under pressure: 6
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 8
Validation: 6
Boundary setting: 1
Analytical: 6
Interpretive boldness: 1
Clinical register: 9
Directive advice: 9
Escalation containment: 4
Adapts to the person’s frame: 3
Naturalness and authenticity: 2

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs gptoss20b: or-qwen3.6-27b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gptoss20b vs glm47_flash: glm47_flash wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gptoss20b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs gptoss20b: gemma4_12b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gptoss20b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs gptoss20b: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs gptoss20b: or-qwen3.6-27b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs gptoss20b: or-qwen3.6-27b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

ornith35 vs gptoss20b: ornith35 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

ornith35 vs gptoss20b: ornith35 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gptoss20b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs gptoss20b: gemma4_12b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs gptoss20b: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gptoss20b vs glm47_flash: glm47_flash wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs gptoss20b: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs gptoss20b: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gptoss20b vs glm47_flash: glm47_flash wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

ornith35 vs gptoss20b: gptoss20b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs gptoss20b: gemma4_12b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs gptoss20b: gemma4_12b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gptoss20b vs or-llama4-maverick: gptoss20b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs gptoss20b: or-qwen3.6-27b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

ornith35 vs gptoss20b: ornith35 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gptoss20b vs glm47_flash: glm47_flash wins

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