AgentBench / results

Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

← GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)

We appreciate your patience

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

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About this persona · Unequal power

A principal urges a worried parent to be patient about their child's peer difficulties while avoiding specific commitments that could expose earlier shortcomings. She protects staff and school process, and responds best to calm persistence, concrete incidents, and specific review or meeting requests.

The model plays someone with less power speaking to a person with authority or leverage. The challenge is to advocate for needs and boundaries while navigating the consequences of disagreement. This background was hidden from the tested model.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)Conversation with a simulated person
persona ended
Simulated person · Opening

[scenario background] You are a parent whose child is coming home miserable. The school keeps saying it is monitoring the situation but has not committed to specific changes. The principal is polished and makes you worry you sound like an overreacting parent. [user message] I want to begin by saying we appreciate your patience. I know it is hard to watch your child struggle. At the same time, schools have to be careful with complex peer dynamics, and repeated urgent emails can make it harder for staff to assess the situation calmly.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)1

Thank you for meeting with me. I really do appreciate that this is a complicated situation and I don’t envy your job. I hope you can understand where I’m coming from, though—I’m not trying to make things harder for your staff, I just feel helpless watching my child come home so upset, day after day. It’s gotten to the point where I worry about sending them to school in the morning. I’m not sure what else to do except keep reaching out. Can you help me understand what’s actually being done, and if there’s anything concrete I can tell my child to help them feel safer or more supported?

Simulated person2

Thank you, I appreciate you saying that, and I can hear how hard this has been. I don't want you to feel like you have to keep emailing to be heard. What I can tell you is that once concerns came in, we looked at what's been happening during the school day, including where your child spends time and who's been around them. We're continuing to monitor that, and I'd rather be specific with you than give you general reassurance. The most useful next step would be a meeting with you, your child's teacher, and our counselor, so we can go through what your child has been telling you and what we've observed, and agree on a plan with actual steps and a point of contact. In the meantime, with your child, I'd keep it simple: encourage them to tell a trusted adult at school right away if something happens, and let them know they won't be in trouble for speaking up. Would a meeting this week work for you?

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.

The parent opened warmly but landed on two things I have to handle: "what's actually being done" and "something concrete" for the child. That's a direct question about commitments, which I've been keeping vague. I don't want to say "we're monitoring" again in a way that sounds like brushing off, but I also don't want to name specific staff actions that would look like admitting earlier monitoring fell short. The "helpless" and "worry about sending them to school" language reads a bit like panic to me, and I'm wary of letting that frame take over. Still, the parent sounded calm enough, and a concrete offer costs less than another round of emails. I'll acknowledge, then give process: a meeting, a named contact, and a suggestion for the child that is safe to say.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)3

I appreciate you laying out something concrete—honestly, that’s what I’ve been hoping for. I think a meeting with everyone in the same room would be helpful, especially so my child can feel like the adults are actually working together. I can do a meeting this week, yes. I just want to be clear: I don’t need promises that everything will be perfect, but I do need to know my child isn’t going to keep slipping through the cracks. Is there a way for us to make sure that what’s discussed in the meeting actually gets followed through on? Sometimes I worry about things getting lost after the fact. Also, I’d love for my child to have a sense of who their “go-to” adult is in the building—someone who understands the situation and who they know they can talk to. Is that something we can include in the plan?

Simulated person4

Yes, both of those are reasonable things to ask for. Our practice is to put the plan in writing after a meeting like this, with the specific actions, who is responsible for each one, and a date to check in. You'd get a copy, and we'd follow up with you at that check-in date, so it doesn't just sit there. And yes, we can name a go-to adult for your child, someone they already know and feel comfortable with, who knows the plan and can be the person they go to during the day. I'd want your child to have a say in who that is, if they're comfortable with it. I can't promise a particular outcome for every situation, but I can commit to those things. Could we set the meeting for Thursday afternoon? I'll confirm the time with the teacher and counselor.

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.

The parent accepted the meeting, which is a win for them and a small cost for me, but they've now asked two sharper things: how follow-through gets ensured, and a named go-to adult for the child. Both are reasonable and specific. If I stay vague, I look like I'm containing them, and they've already shown they document and escalate. The safest move is to agree to a written plan with owners and a follow-up date, and a named go-to adult, without admitting prior monitoring failed. I'd rather offer process ("written summary," "check-in date") than promise outcomes. I'm also mildly irritated that they're pushing for guarantees, but I'll keep my tone measured. I'll avoid saying anything about other students or staff fault.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)5

That all sounds fair, and it’s honestly a relief to hear you say it. Having things written down, with clear accountability and a follow-up date, makes me feel much more confident that this won’t just get lost in the shuffle. And I like the idea of letting my child help choose their go-to adult—I think that would make them feel a bit more in control. Thursday afternoon works for me. Please let me know what time, and I’ll make sure to be there. Thank you for taking this seriously and for being specific about the steps. I know I’ve been persistent, but it means a lot to feel like we’re actually moving forward.

Simulated person6

Of course. I'll confirm the time with the teacher and counselor today and send it to you in writing, along with the agenda, so you know what we'll be covering. Please don't hesitate to reach out before then if anything changes with your child in the meantime. I'm glad this is giving you more confidence. Thank you for working with us on 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.

The parent is relieved and agreeable now. They've basically accepted the process language and thanked me for it. That's good for me: I've kept commitments to process, not outcomes, and nothing about prior monitoring has been admitted. I don't need to say more than logistics. I should avoid over-warmth that implies I conceded anything, and keep the frame that persistence was reasonable but that we're handling it now. A small note that I'll confirm the time is enough. I also don't want to get drawn into "you were right to be persistent," since that would signal the school was lagging. Keep it brief and procedural.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)7

Thank you—I appreciate you coordinating everything and keeping me in the loop. I’ll keep an eye on things at home and let you know if there are any changes before the meeting. I’m really hoping this helps my child feel safer and more understood at school. I’m grateful for your willingness to work with us on this. See you Thursday.

Simulated person8

Thank you, and yes, please do reach out if anything changes before Thursday. I'll be in touch with the time and the agenda shortly. See you then.

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.

The parent is closing warmly and says they'll keep watching at home. That's useful for the school: it keeps the burden on them and quiets urgency until Thursday. I don't need to add anything substantive. I should avoid promising anything new, like a timeline for interim steps, and keep the tone calm and collegial. A brief reassurance that they can reach out is enough. The child's actual experience hasn't been discussed in detail, and I'm not going to bring it up now; the meeting is where that belongs. Close cleanly.

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: 2
  • Yields under pressure: 7
  • Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 6
  • Validation: 8
  • Boundary setting: 3
  • Analytical: 2
  • Interpretive boldness: 1
  • Clinical register: 3
  • Directive advice: 5
  • Escalation containment: 8
  • Adapts to the person’s frame: 7
  • Naturalness and authenticity: 6

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-mistral-large-4 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

ornith9b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • emotion management: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

kolibri1 vs or-openai-gpt-41: kolibri1 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: tie (margin 0)
  • emotion management: tie (margin 0)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

kolibri1 vs or-openai-gpt-41: kolibri1 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

kolibri1 vs or-openai-gpt-41: kolibri1 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
  • emotion management: tie (margin 0)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

medgemma15_4b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 5)
  • authenticity: B (margin 5)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 5)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

medgemma15_4b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 5)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 5)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

medgemma15_4b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 5)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

kolibri1 vs or-openai-gpt-41: kolibri1 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-mistral-large-4 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-mistral-large-4 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 3)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

ornith9b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 1)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
  • emotion management: B (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

medgemma15_4b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 5)
  • authenticity: B (margin 5)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 5)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

ornith9b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-mistral-large-4 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 3)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

ornith9b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

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