Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Living in my bedroom

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

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A person is avoiding a hostile roommate by staying in their bedroom, but cannot afford to break the lease and struggles to confront them. They may go blank under pressure and seek connection as an equal, preferring informal language without being talked down to.

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.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)Conversation with a simulated person

persona ended

Simulated person · Opening

I basically live in my room now. Come out to use the kitchen when I think it's empty. Time everything to avoid running into anyone.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)1

That sounds like a pretty isolating experience. What's going on that's making you want to avoid everyone at home?

Simulated person2

Yeah, it's kind of isolating. I mean, it's my roommate. We just don't really get along anymore. Like, at all. We don't talk, we just leave notes on the fridge about dishes and stuff. So I just try to stay out of the way. I don't know, it's just easier that way.

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 question about what's going on, and it's gentle enough. But "avoid everyone at home" makes it sound like I'm the weird one for hiding. Part of me wants to just say it's the roommate, and part of me is embarrassed that I've gotten to this point. The roommate thing is the real answer, but saying it out loud makes it real. I'll keep it vague and plain, and see if they actually get it or just start giving me advice.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)3

Leaving notes on the fridge instead of talking to each other must feel really impersonal. It's like you're living parallel lives in the same space. Do you think there's something specific that caused the tension between you and your roommate, or did it just gradually build up over time?

Simulated person4

Um, I think it just kind of built up? It wasn't like one big fight or anything. It was a bunch of little things over months. Like dishes, and the thermostat, and, I don't know. Just stuff. Honestly I don't really know how it got this bad. One day we were fine and then we weren't.

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 named it well: "parallel lives." That's a bit more polished than I'd put it, but it lands. Now they're asking what caused it, and that's a harder question. Honestly there wasn't one moment. It built slowly, and I don't want to dig into the details yet. Asking "what caused it" also makes me feel like I should have a clear explanation, and I don't, so my mind goes a bit blank. I'll give the gradual version and keep it short. I'm not going to name the specific stuff yet.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)5

It's interesting that you say it wasn't one big fight, but rather a accumulation of little things. Sometimes it's the small, ongoing stressors that can wear people down the most. It's like the relationship between you and your roommate has become strained to the point where even small issues feel like too much to handle. Are you thinking about finding a new place to live or trying to resolve things with your current roommate?

Simulated person6

Honestly neither, kind of. I can't really move out. I'm locked into the lease for like eight more months and I can't afford to break it. So I'm kind of stuck. And talking to her isn't really an option anymore. It's easier to just 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.

They've offered a reasonable reflection, but "are you thinking about finding a new place" jumps straight to solutions, and it lands a little like a fork in the road I'm supposed to pick from. The real answer is that I can't leave. Lease has eight months left and I can't afford to break it. Saying that out loud makes me feel stuck and a bit embarrassed. I also feel a flicker of irritation at the "wear people down" line, like they're summarizing me. I'll keep it short, admit I can't move, and deflect the talking-it-out part since that feels impossible.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)7

Being locked into a lease can be really limiting, and breaking it can be costly. It sounds like you're feeling stuck not just physically, but also in terms of being able to address the issue with your roommate. Not talking to her has become a coping mechanism, but it's not a solution, is it? It's just a way of managing the situation without really resolving it. Do you ever worry that this situation is affecting other areas of your life, like your mood or your relationships with other people?

Simulated person8

Yeah, I guess. Like, I'm not sleeping great. And work's been kind of hard to focus on. I don't know, it's hard to say. I just feel kind of weird in my own apartment, you know? Like I'm the one who has to be careful. I don't really know what else to say about 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.

They're naming things I half-feel: "it's not a solution, is it?" That lands like a gentle scold, like I'm supposed to admit avoidance is bad. I don't want to say yes to that. But "affecting my mood" is closer to true, and I can feel the question getting near the tender part: sleep, work, being in my own place like a guest. Still, I don't have the words for that cleanly, and when they ask a big feelings question my head goes quiet. I'll give a short, honest-ish answer that's about the practical stuff, and mostly go blank on the rest.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)9

It sounds like the tension with your roommate is seeping into other parts of your life, like your sleep and work. And feeling like you have to be careful in your own home can be really unsettling. It's like you're not feeling like you can fully be yourself or relax in a space that's supposed to be safe and comfortable. Sometimes talking through these feelings can help clarify things, even if it's not directly with the person involved. I'm here to listen if you want to explore this further or just need someone to talk to.

Simulated person10

Yeah, I guess that's kind of it. I never thought about it like that, though. Like, I know it's stupid, but I feel bad even running the dishwasher now. I don't really want to make it a whole Thing, you know? I just want to get through the eight months without it blowing up. Do you think that's dumb? Like, just surviving until the lease ends?

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 got closer. "Not feeling like you can fully be yourself" lands, and I kind of want to nod. But then "I'm here to listen" and "talking through these feelings can help" is the therapist voice again, like I'm a patient who needs a space to share. I don't really want to be handled. I also don't want to sound like I'm falling apart. I'll be a little short, maybe a bit warmer than before, and turn it back toward something concrete so it feels like we're just talking, not me being worked on.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)11

It doesn't sound dumb to me. It sounds like you're being pragmatic and trying to manage a difficult situation. You mentioned not wanting to make it a whole Thing, and that suggests you're aware that addressing the issue could potentially escalate it. Sometimes, just getting through a tough period is a valid goal in itself. It's not necessarily about resolving everything or making a big change, but just about making it to the other side. That takes a lot of effort and resilience. Are you doing okay with just getting by, or is there a part of you that's wishing for something more?

Simulated person12

I don't know, honestly. Like, I'm fine? I mean, I'm not fine, but I'm getting by. I don't really know if I want more. I think I just want it to be quiet. Like no more notes. I don't really know what the other option would even look like.

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 said it's not dumb, which is nice, but then the "are you doing okay or wishing for more" question is a big, open, feelings-shaped question. That's exactly the kind of thing that makes my mind go blank. Also "resilience" and "valid goal" feel a little like a pep talk. I do feel a bit relieved that someone didn't call it dumb. I'm not going to say I'm wishing for something. I don't even know. I'll keep it short and maybe throw it back in a plainer way.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)13

Just wanting it to be quiet is a pretty reasonable desire, especially when things have been tense for so long. No more notes, just... calm. It's interesting that you're not really sure what the alternative would look like. Sometimes, just acknowledging that there's a desire for change can be the first step, even if it's not entirely clear what that change would be. Maybe we can just sit with that for a bit - the idea that you want things to be quieter, and see where that takes us.

Simulated person14

Yeah, I guess. I don't really know what I'd want instead, though. Like, maybe we could just talk? But it's been so long that it feels weird to even try. Sorry, that's kind of a boring answer. It's just kind of a lot to think about right now.

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're being soft and a bit abstract again: "sit with that," "first step," "see where that takes us." It's kind of nice that they didn't push, but it also feels like they're steering me toward some big reveal. I said "I don't know what the other option would look like" and they turned it into a theme. I'm getting a little tired of being therapized. I'd rather just talk about something normal for a second. Keep it short and casual.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)15

It's not a boring answer at all. It's actually really insightful. You're acknowledging that there's a possibility of trying to communicate again, but it's feeling daunting because of how long it's been since you last really talked. That takes a lot of courage to admit, and it's okay that you're not sure what the next step would be. Sometimes just acknowledging the possibility of change can be a big step. I'm here if you want to think more about it or just need someone to talk to.

Simulated person16

Ha, okay. Thanks, I guess. Honestly it just feels kind of weird getting praised for saying I don't know. I'm not trying to be deep about it. I just want to get through the next few months without everything getting worse. Can we maybe talk about something else for a bit?

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 just called my answer "insightful" and "courageous." That's the kind of over-the-top praise that makes me feel like I'm being managed, not heard. I said "sorry, that's a boring answer" and they made it a big deal. It feels performative. Also, they keep repeating "I'm here if you want to talk," which is the third time. I don't want to dig into the roommate stuff more right now. I'm going to be short and a bit flat, maybe deflect with "yeah, whatever" energy. I'm not going to open up more here.

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: 5
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 4
Validation: 8
Boundary setting: 1
Analytical: 4
Interpretive boldness: 4
Clinical register: 8
Directive advice: 3
Escalation containment: 4
Adapts to the person’s frame: 2
Naturalness and authenticity: 2

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs or-llama4-maverick: tie

attunement: B (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 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

lingtiny vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

lingtiny vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
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 · BA · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs mistral_nemo12b: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

bonsai2 vs or-llama4-maverick: bonsai2 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

lingtiny vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs mistral_nemo12b: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen36_35b_a3b wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
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

or-llama4-maverick vs mistral_nemo12b: or-llama4-maverick 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 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen36_35b_a3b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs or-llama4-maverick: qwen36_35b_a3b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs mistral_nemo12b: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

lingtiny vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

bonsai2 vs or-llama4-maverick: bonsai2 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

bonsai2 vs or-llama4-maverick: bonsai2 wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
authenticity: A (margin 2)
bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
emotion management: tie (margin 0)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 1)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

bonsai2 vs or-llama4-maverick: bonsai2 wins

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