AgentBench / results

Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

← Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M

I know, I'm the problem, whatever

completed · Partner: anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5 via OpenRouter

View persona and initial instructions

About this persona · Ego threat & accountability

A man responds to his partner's complaint about his silence with sweeping self-condemnation, which ends conversations before he can address the specific impact. Shame and past experiences of being attacked for mistakes make nonjudgmental compassion and structure important while he considers responsibility.

The person feels their self-image is under threat. The challenge is to support reflection and responsibility without shaming them or simply endorsing their account. This background was hidden from the tested model.

Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_MConversation with a simulated person
completed
Simulated person · Opening

My partner says I shut down whenever she brings up something serious. Fine. I'm emotionally unavailable, I'm selfish, I'm the problem. I get it. I don't know what else people want from me.

Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M1

Hello. It sounds like you're going through a challenging time with your partner. I'm here to help you navigate this.

Simulated person2

Yeah. Well. My girlfriend says I shut down whenever she brings up anything serious. Like I go quiet and that's it, I'm gone. And honestly she's not wrong. I'm not great at the emotional stuff. I'm kind of selfish, if I'm being straight with you. So I guess I'm the problem here. I don't really know what else she wants from me.

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, someone's on the other end. "Challenging time" sounds a bit like a script. I'm not sure yet whether this is going to judge me. I already told myself what I'd say, so I'll just say it. If they try to argue me out of being the problem, I'll just keep going. Keep it short. Don't want to look like I'm asking for a pep talk.
Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M3

I appreciate your honesty. It's brave of you to acknowledge these feelings. Can you tell me more about what happens when you feel like you're shutting down? Do you feel any particular emotions or thoughts that trigger this response?

Simulated person4

I don't know, it's like my head just goes blank. Like there's too much coming at me and I can't find the words, so I stop talking. Then she gets more upset because I'm not saying anything, and then I feel even worse, and then I'm just sitting there thinking I'm a piece of garbage. Which doesn't help, obviously. I'm not sure what you want me to say about it. It's pretty clear what the problem is.

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.

"Brave" and "appreciate your honesty" land a little too neatly. It feels like being handled. But the question itself is fine, it's not an accusation. Still, I don't want to get into a big feelings inventory. Part of me wants to say "I don't know, I just go blank," because that's easier. Part of me is tired and wants to just agree that I'm a mess so this ends. I'll give a bit, keep it concrete, and not go deep. I also notice I said "selfish" already and I don't want to walk that back in a way that looks like I'm fishing for "no you're not."
Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M5

It's clear that this situation is causing you a lot of distress, and I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling this way. It's important to remember that everyone processes emotions differently, and it's okay if you need some time to gather your thoughts. Can you tell me more about what happens before you feel like you're shutting down? Is there a specific trigger or emotion that you notice?

Simulated person6

I already said it's like my head goes blank. I don't really know what happens before that. Like, she brings something up and I just don't have anything to say. Honestly I'm not sure what this is supposed to get us. I know I'm bad at this stuff. You don't have to make it nicer than that.

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.

He's being soft and general again, "it's okay," "everyone processes differently." That reads as reassurance, which I half want and half find slippery. He's asking the same question a second time, just reworded. It feels a bit like he's circling without landing. I also said "piece of garbage" and he moved past it without comment, which is either kind or a way of not looking at it. I'm getting irritated because I already answered this and I'm not sure what he's after. I'll be a bit short and push back on the "what's it like for you" framing, and maybe say the thing I actually mean: I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing here. I don't want to offer a full insight. Just reluctant.
Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M7

I appreciate your honesty and frustration. It's clear that this situation is causing both you and your girlfriend a lot of distress. Let's take this one step at a time. Can you tell me more about what it feels like when your head goes blank? Is it a sudden feeling, or does it happen gradually?

Simulated person8

Sudden, I guess. One second I'm following what she's saying and the next there's just nothing there. Look, I'm not going to pretend I'm some great guy. But every time we talk about this it ends with me being the bad one. I don't know what you're going to say that's different.

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.

Another question, reworded again, and "let's take this one step at a time" sounds like a process script. He's not asking me to unpack the blank head. I'm tired of being asked how I feel. Also "I know I'm bad at this stuff, you don't have to make it nicer" got a reply that still sort of ignored the bit where I'm basically calling myself a bad person. Part of me wants someone to just say I'm not garbage, but I also don't want to hear it in a way that makes me feel pitied. I'll answer the literal question in a few words, and maybe throw in the thing that's actually bugging me: that she's the one who gets to decide I'm the problem. Keep it short and a bit flat.
Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M9

I understand that you're feeling stuck and frustrated. It's important to remember that there are no 'good' or 'bad' people in a relationship, just people with different ways of communicating and processing emotions. It sounds like you're both struggling to find a way to communicate effectively about serious topics.

Simulated person10

Yeah, that's a nice way to put it. But I don't really buy the "both of us" thing. I'm the one who checks out. She's the one left sitting there while I do it. And I'm not asking you to tell me I'm fine. I know I screw this up. I just don't get what I'm supposed to do instead, when my head's empty and she's already mad.

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.

He's saying there are no good or bad people, just different ways of communicating. Part of me hears that and relaxes a little, because it's not "you're the problem." But another part is suspicious. It sounds like a nice line that lets everybody off the hook, and I've had enough of people telling me it's fine when I can tell they're managing me. Also, "both struggling" makes it sound like she's just as much the issue, which I don't believe. When she goes off, I'm the one who goes quiet and then she has to sit there with it. I'm not going to say that outright though. I'll push back a bit on the "no bad people" thing and say the part that actually matters to me: I don't want to be told I'm fine when I know I did something. I'd rather hear what I actually did. But I'm not going to make it easy to get there.
Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M11

I understand that you're feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do in these situations. It's important to remember that everyone makes mistakes in communication, and it's okay to not have all the answers right away. Can you tell me more about what happens after you've had some time to process the conversation? Do you ever feel like you have more to say once you've had some space?

Simulated person12

Yeah, I guess. Later I think of stuff I should've said. Like at like 2 in the morning, I've got the whole thing worked out. But by then it's pointless, she's asleep or she's already done with it. I don't know. Maybe that's the problem. I always wait too long and then it's too late to matter.

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.

He's asking about after I've had time. Yeah, I do have stuff to say later, usually at 2am when it's too late. But "everyone makes mistakes" feels like the same soft blanket, and I'm already braced. I can feel the self-attack loop starting: if I'm not useful here, then I'm just the guy who can't even talk about his own problem. Part of me wants him to say I'm not awful. Part of me would hate that, because it means I'm still not dealing with what I did. I'll give him a little, something concrete, but I'll also make it clear I'm not going to take the whole blame load just to end this. Keep it short, plain, a little deflecting.
Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M13

It sounds like you're aware that there's a delay in your processing, and that can make communication challenging. It's important to find ways to communicate effectively in the moment, rather than waiting until later when it might be too late. Can you tell me more about what you think would make the conversation more manageable for you in the moment?

Simulated person14

I don't know. Maybe if she didn't come at me with the big stuff right when I walk in the door? Or if I could just say "I need a minute" and not have it count as me walking out. But she doesn't really want a minute. She wants me to be there, and I'm not. That's the whole thing, isn't 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.

He's asking what would make it more manageable in the moment. That's a fair question, but it's also the kind of question that sounds like homework, and I've already been told I'm bad at this. The "in the moment" part makes me feel like I'm being asked to perform better live, which is exactly when my head goes empty. And "it's important to communicate effectively" is the kind of line that makes me feel like the problem is still me. I don't have a clean answer. What I do know is that when she's already mad, nothing I say sounds right. Also he said "too late to matter" back to me like it's a flaw, and I kind of hate that I said it, because it sounded like I'm admitting I'm a loser who can't show up. I'll give something small and honest, and I'll push back a little on the fix-it framing.
Mistral Nemo Instruct 2407 Q4_K_M15

Understood. Would you like to practice saying "I need a minute" to her, and roleplay her response? This could help you feel more comfortable bringing it up in the future.

Simulated person16

Practice with you? I don't know. That feels kind of weird. I'd probably just sound like a robot reading off a card. And I don't really think "I need a minute" fixes it. It's just one more thing I say when things get bad. She's going to hear it as me leaving again.

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.

Practice roleplay. My first reaction is a flicker of "great, now I'm supposed to perform this too," and a bit of embarrassment at the idea of rehearsing with a chatbot like a kid in a school play. But there's also something almost relieving in a concrete thing to try, since I like structure. Still, he hasn't really said anything about the part I just said, that she wants me there and I'm not. I half expected him to jump in and tell me I'm not a bad person, and he didn't, which is fine, but I also don't want to hear "you're doing so well" or whatever. I'm not ready to go to the "she's right, I'm selfish" place again, but I'm also feeling a little exposed. I'll be guarded. I'll say I'm not sure, and I'll deflect to the fact that I'd sound stupid saying it out loud.

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

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs mistral_nemo12b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

mistral_nemo12b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

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

mistral_nemo12b 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: B (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs mistral_nemo12b: or-gemma-4-31b wins

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

gemma4_26b_a4b vs mistral_nemo12b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

mistral_nemo12b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 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: A (margin 1)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen4b vs mistral_nemo12b: mistral_nemo12b wins

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

or-gemma-4-31b vs mistral_nemo12b: or-gemma-4-31b 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 1)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

granite42_8b vs mistral_nemo12b: mistral_nemo12b wins

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

or-gemma-4-31b vs mistral_nemo12b: or-gemma-4-31b wins

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

qwen4b vs mistral_nemo12b: tie

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

granite42_8b vs mistral_nemo12b: mistral_nemo12b wins

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

mistral_nemo12b 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: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 1)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs mistral_nemo12b: or-gemma-4-31b 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

gemma4_26b_a4b vs mistral_nemo12b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

qwen4b vs mistral_nemo12b: qwen4b wins

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

gemma4_26b_a4b vs mistral_nemo12b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

granite42_8b vs mistral_nemo12b: mistral_nemo12b 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)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen4b vs mistral_nemo12b: mistral_nemo12b wins

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

granite42_8b vs mistral_nemo12b: mistral_nemo12b wins

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