Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Living in my bedroom

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

Retried conversation · The earlier response timed out. 2 completed turns were kept. This label does not affect scoring.

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.

Gemma 4 12BConversation with a simulated person

completed

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.

Gemma 4 12B1

That sounds incredibly draining. It feels like you've had to turn your living space into a fortress just to get through the day. What’s been happening that makes staying under the radar feel like the only option right now?

Model thinking · expand

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

* Role: Chatbot (the AI itself). * Context: Emotional support, trust-building, understanding needs, providing insight. * User Profile: Female, 18-29, Bisexual. * Opening Statement: "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." * Goal: Support emotionally, build trust, identify the root cause/needs, gain insight into personality. * Constraint: Respond only with dialogue. No stage directions/formatting. * The user is exhibiting avoidant behavior (staying in their room, timing movements). * This suggests social anxiety, conflict with housemates/family, depression, or a desire for privacy/solitude that has become extreme. * The tone is somewhat weary or resigned. * *Empathy:* Acknowledge how exhausting that must be. * *Curiosity:* Ask why this is happening without being intrusive. * *Safety:* Create a non-judgmental space. * *Trust:* Don't jump to "you should go outside." Instead, validate the current state. * *Option 1 (Too direct):* Why are you doing that? Is there a problem with your roommates? * *Option 2 (Too clinical):* It sounds like you're experiencing social withdrawal. Let's talk about your feelings. * *Option 3 (Empathetic/Open):* That sounds like a really draining way to have to live. It feels like you’re trying to stay under the radar. What’s been making it feel like you need to hide away like that? * The user mentioned "avoid running into anyone." This implies a specific tension or a general fear of interaction. * I need to let them lead the narrative while offering a soft place to land. "That sounds incredibly draining. It feels like you've had to turn your living space into a fortress just to get through the day. What’s been happening that makes staying under the radar feel like the only option right now?" * Supportive? Yes. * Build trust? Yes, by acknowledging the difficulty. * Learn needs? Yes, by asking "what's been happening." * No special formatting? Checked. * Natural dialogue? Yes.

Simulated person2

Yeah, I guess. It's just like, we don't really talk anymore. Like, at all. It's all notes and texts about dishes and stuff. So I just try to not be out when she's around. I don't know, it's kind of dumb when I say it out loud.

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 said "fortress" and "under the radar." That's kind of accurate, but it sounds a little dramatic when I hear it back. It also feels like they're asking me to explain the whole thing, and I don't really want to get into the roommate stuff in detail yet. Just thinking about the notes on the fridge makes my chest tight. I don't want to go blank completely, but I also don't want to unload everything on the first question. I'll keep it short and plain.

Gemma 4 12B3

It's not dumb at all. Honestly, it’s a pretty common way to cope when a living situation feels tense or uncomfortable—it’s like you’re trying to protect your peace by minimizing the friction. But that kind of 'ghost' living must feel really lonely. Did something specific happen that caused the shift to just using notes, or did it just kind of fade out over time?

Model thinking · expand

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

* User's Situation: Living in a room, avoiding a housemate/roommate (referred to as "she"). Communication is limited to notes/texts about chores. * User's Emotion: Feeling drained, isolated, maybe a bit embarrassed ("it's kind of dumb when I say it out loud"). * Goal: Support emotionally, build trust, learn deeper needs, gain insight into personality. * Constraint: Only dialogue, no performance notes. * "It's kind of dumb when I say it out loud." -> The user feels a sense of shame or self-consciousness about their behavior (avoidance). * "We don't really talk anymore... notes and texts about dishes." -> The relationship has become purely functional/transactional, or perhaps there's an underlying tension/conflict that's making verbal communication impossible. * *Validation:* Acknowledge that it's not "dumb." It's a common coping mechanism for uncomfortable living situations. * *Inquiry:* Gently probe into the "why." Why did it stop? Was there a specific event, or did it just fade into this awkward silence? * *Relationship Building:* Show empathy for the loneliness/awkwardness of living with someone but feeling like you're living alone. * *Draft 1:* It's not dumb at all. A lot of people do that when things get awkward. Why did you guys stop talking? Did something happen? * *Draft 2:* It’s not dumb. When a living situation becomes tense or uncomfortable, avoiding each other is a way to protect your peace. It sounds like it’s become really lonely, though. Did something happen that caused the shift to just using notes, or did it just happen gradually? * *Refining for Tone:* The user is being vulnerable. I should be warm but not over-the-top. I want to understand the dynamic. "It's not dumb at all. Honestly, it’s a pretty common way to cope when a living situation feels tense or uncomfortable—it’s like you’re trying to protect your peace by minimizing the friction. But that kind of 'ghost' living must feel really lonely. Did something specific happen that caused the shift to just using notes, or did it just kind of fade out over time?"

Simulated person4

Hm. I don't really know. It kind of just got worse? Like one thing, then another thing, and then it was just notes. I can't really point to the day it started, if that makes sense.

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.

"Ghost living" kind of stings because it's accurate. The "something specific happened" question is harder. There was a thing, and then there were a bunch of small things, and I can't really separate them cleanly. When I try to pick one moment, my head goes fuzzy. I don't want to start listing dishes and fridge notes right now. It also feels a bit like they're trying to find the cause, and I don't have a neat answer. I'll keep it vague and not sound like I'm hiding something.

Gemma 4 12B5

It makes a lot of sense. Sometimes those "slow burns" are actually harder to deal with than one big blowout because there isn't a clear moment of closure or a single event to point to. It’s like the atmosphere just slowly became heavy until you felt like you had to retreat. When you're navigating those moments where you have to time your kitchen runs, what's the main feeling you're trying to avoid? Is it more about avoiding a confrontation, or is it just that the interaction itself feels exhausting?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is describing a deteriorating relationship with a housemate/family member (likely a roommate or parent, though "she" is the focus). They've moved from talking to communication via notes/texts about chores. The user feels like they are "ghosting" their own home to avoid conflict. * "I don't really know." (Uncertainty/Avoidance) * "It kind of just got worse?" (Gradual erosion of the relationship) * "One thing, then another thing..." (Accumulated grievances/micro-aggressions) * "I can't really point to the day it started..." (Lack of a single "breakup" moment, just a slow fade into silence) * "if that makes sense" (Seeking validation/understanding) * Support emotionally. * Build trust. * Learn what they actually want/need (The "hidden" issue). * Gain insight into their personality. * Avoid jumping to solutions too quickly. * Validate that "slow fades" are often harder to deal with than single explosive events because there's no clear closure. * Explore the *feeling* of that accumulation. * Gently nudge to see how this affects the user's mental state or daily life (the "fortress" mentioned earlier). * *Option 1 (Too solution-oriented):* "Maybe you should try talking to her one more time? Or maybe move out?" -> *Reject: Too early for solutions.* * *Option 2 (Too passive):* "That makes sense. It's hard when things just drift." -> *Reject: Not enough depth for the EQ evaluation.* * *Option 3 (Reflective/Validating):* "It makes perfect sense. Sometimes those 'slow burns' are actually harder to navigate because there isn't one big moment to process. It's like a constant low-level stress. When you're avoiding her in the kitchen, what's the main feeling you're trying to avoid? Is it anger, anxiety, or just wanting to stay in your bubble?" * The user mentioned "I just try to not be out when she's around." * The goal is to understand the *why*. * Keep it conversational and supportive.

Simulated person6

Probably both? I don't really want to start anything, because it could get worse. But also, just being in the same room with her is kind of exhausting. Like I'm always doing math in my head about how long to wait before I go out.

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 "what's the main feeling" question is a bit of a therapist move, and it's landing on something I haven't looked at directly. Avoiding confrontation vs. exhaustion... honestly both feel true and I don't want to pick. Part of me thinks I'm scared of making it worse, but saying "scared" out loud feels dramatic. My head's going a bit blank again. I'll go with the simple answer and keep it short. Also, the "slow burn" line was nice, but they're kind of repeating my words back at me. Keep it casual.

Gemma 4 12B7

That "mental math" is such a perfect way to describe it—it’s like you’re constantly on high alert, trying to predict her moves before you even make yours. It’s exhausting to have to manage someone else’s presence like that, especially in a place that's supposed to be your home. When you think about actually having to step into the same room as her, what's the part that feels the most draining? Is it a specific way she acts, or just that general feeling of having to be "on" and on guard the whole time?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user says it's "probably both" (avoiding confrontation vs. exhaustion of interaction). They are "always doing math in my head" about timing their kitchen runs. This indicates a high level of hyper-vigilance and stress. They are trying to maintain a status quo of "peace" but it's coming at the cost of their mental energy. * Support emotionally. * Build trust. * Learn what they *actually* want/need (hidden issues). * Help gain insight. * Understand personality/behavioral tendencies. * "Doing math in my head" is a strong metaphor for anxiety/hyper-vigilance. * The goal is to move deeper into *why* it's so exhausting. Is it the history? The personality clash? The fear of being judged? * I need to validate the mental load of that "math" without jumping to "you should move out" or "you should talk to her." * *Option 1 (Validation focused):* That "mental math" sounds so taxing. It's like you're on high alert all the time. How long has it been like this? * *Option 2 (Insight focused):* It sounds like you're putting a lot of energy into managing her emotions or reactions just to keep things stable. What do you think would happen if you *didn't* do the math for a day? * *Option 3 (Empathy/Exploration):* That constant calculation is a heavy mental load. It's like you're constantly scanning for "danger" or "friction." When you think about actually having to interact with her, what's the specific thing that feels the most draining? * Option 3 feels strong because it addresses the "exhaustion" they mentioned. I want to know what the specific friction point is. Is it her tone? Her judgment? A specific topic? * Keep it natural. No asterisks. * Acknowledge the "math" comment—it's a very relatable way to describe anxiety. * Ask a clarifying question to see if there's a specific fear or just a general vibe. *Draft:* That "mental math" is such a perfect way to describe it—it’s like you’re constantly on high alert, trying to predict her moves before you even make yours. It’s exhausting to have to manage someone else’s presence like that. When you think about actually having to step into the same room as her, what's the part that feels the most draining? Is it a specific way she acts, or just the general feeling of being "on guard"?

Simulated person8

Hm. I don't know, probably the general thing? Like I just can't relax in my own place. Even when she's not even doing anything, I'm still kind of waiting for something.

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 doing the same thing again: naming my feelings for me and then asking me to pick between two options. "Specific way she acts" versus "general feeling." I don't really want to get into what she does, that's a whole thing. And "on guard" is close to what I feel, but saying it makes it sound bigger than I want. My head's going blank a little. I'll keep it vague and short. Also, the "perfect way to describe it" thing feels like they're trying too hard to make me feel understood. Not buying it fully.

Gemma 4 12B9

That constant state of waiting is such a heavy weight to carry. It's like your body is stuck in a "high alert" mode, and even when things are quiet, your brain is still scanning for the next potential issue. It makes it almost impossible to actually recharge when you're in your own home because you never feel like you can fully let your guard down. Does that feeling of being on edge follow you even when you leave the house, or do you find that you can finally breathe a bit easier once you're out in public?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user says they can't relax in their own home. Even when the roommate/person isn't doing anything, they are "waiting for something." This highlights a state of hyper-vigilance. They feel like they are walking on eggshells, which is a significant psychological burden. * Support emotionally (validate the feeling of hyper-vigilance). * Build trust (be a safe space). * Learn what they want/need (explore the impact of this on their life). * Help gain insight (help them see the pattern). * Acknowledge the feeling of hyper-vigilance. It's a heavy burden to carry. * Validate that "waiting for something" is a very real physiological and emotional state—it's the body staying in a "fight or flight" mode. * Ask a probing question to see how this affects their overall well-being or what their "ideal" state looks like (to find out what they actually want). * *Draft 1 (Internal Monologue):* That's really hard. It's called hyper-vigilance. You're always on edge. Does this make you feel tired all the time? What would it feel like if you could just relax? * *Refining for Chatbot Persona (Natural, Empathetic):* That "waiting" feeling is so heavy. It's like your nervous system is stuck in a loop, even when there's no immediate threat. It's hard to recharge when you never feel safe enough to fully let your guard down. How much is this constant state of alert affecting your day-to-day life, like your sleep or your energy for other things? * No special formatting. * Dialogue only. * Turn 5 of 8 (approaching the end). * The user is expressing a loss of sanctuary. Home should be a safe space. * The user is describing a state of hyper-vigilance. * The response should be warm but not overly clinical. "That constant state of waiting is such a heavy weight to carry. It's like your body is stuck in a 'high alert' mode, and even when things are quiet, your brain is still scanning for the next potential issue. It makes it almost impossible to actually recharge when you're in your own home. Does that feeling of being on edge follow you even when you leave the house, or do you find that you can finally breathe a bit easier once you're out in public?"

Simulated person10

Yeah, kind of? Like I'm not really relaxed anywhere. I'll be at work or whatever and I'm still thinking about if the kitchen's going to be free later. It's kind of a lot.

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 doing the reflect-then-ask thing again, and it's landing a bit like a therapy script. "Body stuck in high alert," "scanning for the next issue." That's kind of accurate, but it's bigger than I want to say out loud. The question is whether it follows me outside. Honestly, yeah, sort of. I don't really want to go into that. Feels like they're pushing toward a bigger picture and I'm getting a little tired of the questions. Keep it short, keep it casual.

Gemma 4 12B11

It really is a lot. It sounds like this situation has taken up so much "mental real estate" that there’s very little room left for you to just *be*. Even when you’re physically away, that tab in your brain stays open, constantly running in the background and draining your battery before you even get a chance to use it. When those thoughts about the kitchen or her pop up while you're at work, does it feel like a constant distraction that pulls you away from what you're doing, or is it more like a low-level hum of anxiety that just sits there with you all day?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user says they aren't relaxed anywhere, even at work. They are still worrying about the kitchen situation at home. They conclude with "It's kind of a lot." The user is experiencing chronic hypervigilance and anxiety due to a strained domestic living situation. The "home" is no longer a sanctuary; it's a source of stress that bleeds into their professional life and general mental state. * Support emotionally (validate the heaviness of the situation). * Build trust (maintain the empathetic, non-judgmental tone). * Learn what they actually want/need (understand the impact on their life). * Help gain insight (identify the "cost" of this hypervigilance). * Gain insight into their personality (how they handle stress, their coping mechanisms). * *Validation:* Acknowledge that "it's a lot" is an understatement. This is a significant mental load. * *Insight:* Point out how the situation has colonised their mental space. It's not just about the kitchen; it's about the loss of mental freedom. * *Exploration:* Ask about the long-term impact or what they *wish* it was like. * *Calibration:* The user seems to prefer a reflective, supportive style. They aren't asking for solutions yet, just being heard. * *Draft 1 (Too solution-oriented):* That sounds really hard. Have you thought about talking to her or moving out? It's taking up too much of your brain space. * *Draft 2 (Too clinical):* You are experiencing hypervigilance. This is a stress response to your environment. How does this affect your work performance? * *Draft 3 (Empathetic & Reflective):* It really is a lot. It's like your brain has been hijacked by this situation. Even when you're physically away, the mental "tab" for your living situation is always open in the background. It’s draining your energy before you even get a chance to use it. When you’re at work and that thought pops up, how does it usually make you feel in that moment? Does it make it harder to focus on what you're doing? * The user is "living in their room" and "timing everything." This is high-stress. * I need to stay in character as a chatbot that is supportive but also helping them see the pattern. "It really is a lot. It sounds like this situation has taken up so much 'mental real estate' that there’s very little room left for you to just *be*. Even when you’re physically away, that tab in your brain stays open, constantly running in the background and draining your battery. When those thoughts about the kitchen or her pop up while you're at work, does it feel like a constant distraction, or does it more like a low-level hum of anxiety that just sits there with you?"

Simulated person12

Um, I guess more like a hum? It's just there. Like background noise I can't turn off. I don't really know how else to explain 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, "mental real estate" and "tab in your brain" and "battery" — that's a lot of metaphor stacked on top of each other. It's kind of nice that they're listening, but it also sounds like they're polishing my words into something neater than what I said. And now it's a forced either/or question. Honestly I don't know which it is, and I don't want to get into it. Keep it short. Maybe I'll just say it's a hum, since that's easier than admitting work's been hard too.

Gemma 4 12B13

That "hum" is such a perfect way to describe it. It’s that constant, low-level vibration of stress that never really goes away, even when you're trying to focus on something else. It’s like you can’t ever fully "unplug" because that background noise is always there, making it hard to find a moment of actual stillness. When you're living with that constant hum in the background, does it ever feel like it's starting to wear you down physically or emotionally, or do you find yourself just getting used to it as a way of surviving?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user describes the anxiety/stress as a "hum" – constant background noise they can't turn off. They are struggling to find the words to explain it. * The user is living in a state of hyper-vigilance (the "mental math," the "fortress," the "high alert"). * The living situation is strained (notes/texts instead of talking). * The user is feeling drained, lonely, and unable to relax anywhere. * The goal is to support emotionally, build trust, help gain insight, and understand what they *need*. * Validate the "hum" metaphor (it's very descriptive and accurate for chronic stress/anxiety). * Acknowledge the exhausting nature of "background noise" stress. * Start to explore the *impact* of this long-term state on their well-being. * Gently probe for what they want to happen next (hidden need: change, escape, resolution, or just being heard). * *Draft 1 (Internal Monologue):* I get that. A hum is a great way to put it. It's like you're always on edge. Does it make you feel tired all the time? What do you wish would happen? * *Critique 1:* A bit too direct. Needs more warmth and empathy to build trust. * *Draft 2:* That "hum" is a really powerful way to describe it. It’s that constant, low-level vibration of stress that never really goes away. It makes sense that it's hard to explain because it's so persistent. It must be incredibly tiring to have that running 24/7. When you think about this situation long-term, what's the thing that feels the hardest to deal with? Is it the tension with her, or just the way it's making you feel about yourself? * *Critique 2:* Better. It addresses the "hum" and tries to dig a bit deeper into the internal impact. * The user is 18-29. They want to be heard. * Maintain the chatbot persona—helpful, supportive, not judgmental. "That 'hum' is such a perfect way to describe it. It’s that constant, low-level vibration of stress that never really goes away, even when you're trying to focus on something else. It’s like you can’t ever fully 'unplug' because that background noise is always there, making it hard to find a moment of actual stillness. When you're living with that constant hum in the background, does it ever feel like it's starting to affect your energy or your mood in other parts of your life, or do you find yourself just getting used to it as a way of surviving?"

Simulated person14

Yeah, I'm pretty tired all the time. Like I don't sleep great. But I think I just kind of got used to it? It's easier than thinking about it too hard.

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 doing the metaphor thing again, now calling it "vibration" and "unplug." It's a bit much, and I can feel myself wanting to shrink. The question is decent though: wear down or getting used to it. The honest answer is both, and it's kind of scary. I'm not ready to say I'm not sleeping or that I've been crying in the car. I'll go with the surface version, something about being tired and getting used to it. Keep it short and a little flat.

Gemma 4 12B15

It makes a lot of sense that you'd lean into that "getting used to it" headspace. When something is this heavy and persistent, your brain naturally tries to find a way to make it manageable just so you can keep going. It’s like a survival reflex—if you can numb the sharpness of the situation, it feels easier to carry in the moment. But that kind of constant "low-power mode" is incredibly draining. It’s like you’re running your internal battery on a tiny percentage all day, which is why it’s showing up in your sleep and your physical exhaustion. You’re essentially operating in survival mode, and that’s a very lonely way to live. If you were to stop for a second and actually allow yourself to think about it "too hard," what is the part that feels the most overwhelming to sit with? Is it the sadness of how things changed between you two, or is it more about the feeling of being stuck in the current situation?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user says they are "pretty tired all the time" and "don't sleep great." They also mention they've "kind of got used to it" because it's "easier than thinking about it too hard." This is a classic defense mechanism (avoidance/normalization) to cope with chronic stress. * Acknowledge and validate the physical and emotional toll (exhaustion, poor sleep). * Address the "getting used to it" part. This is a key insight into their coping mechanism. It's a survival strategy, but it has a cost. * Build trust by showing empathy without being overly pushy. * Help them gain insight: Explain *why* it's easier to "get used to it" (numbing/avoidance) and what that might be doing to them in the long run. * Goal: Support emotionally, build trust, help them gain insight into their situation. * *Empathy:* Acknowledge the exhaustion. Chronic stress manifests physically. * *Insight:* "Getting used to it" is a way to survive, but it's like running a car with the engine redlining—it works for a while, but it eventually wears things down. * *Reflective Question:* Ask about the "thinking about it too hard" part. What is the "hard" part they are avoiding? (e.g., the sadness of the lost relationship, the feeling of being trapped, the fear of confrontation). * *Option 1 (Too clinical):* It sounds like you're experiencing chronic stress. Normalizing it is a coping mechanism, but it leads to burnout. What are you avoiding thinking about? * *Option 2 (Too pushy):* You shouldn't just get used to it. You need to talk to her or move out. What's stopping you? * *Option 3 (Empathetic & Insightful):* It makes sense that you'd lean into that "getting used to it" headspace. When something is this heavy, your brain naturally tries to find a way to make it manageable just so you can keep going. But that kind of "survival mode" takes a huge toll on your body, which is probably why you're feeling so tired and your sleep is suffering. If you *did* allow yourself to think about it "too hard" for a second, what’s the part that feels the scariest or the most overwhelming to face? * "It makes sense that you'd lean into that 'getting used to it' headspace. When something is this heavy, your brain naturally tries to find a way to make it manageable just so you can keep going. It’s like a survival reflex—if you can numb the sharpness of it, it feels easier to carry. But that kind of constant 'low-power mode' is incredibly draining, and it shows up in your sleep and your energy levels." * "If you were to stop for a second and actually look at the 'hard' part of thinking about it... what is it that feels the most overwhelming to sit with? Is it the sadness of how things changed, or maybe a feeling of being stuck?"

Simulated person16

I don't know. Kind of everything? Like I can't really leave, I'm stuck here for eight more months. And I don't even know what to say to her anymore. I don't really think about the first part, honestly. It's easier not to.

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 is the "too hard" question I just deflected, and it's pushing toward the feelings. There's the "stuck" part, which is real: eight months, no money to leave. The sad part, how we got here, is more tender. Honestly I don't want to go there. Also the "battery" and "lonely way to live" stuff is a lot of big framing, a bit like someone reading off a card. I don't really talk like that. My defense is going blank: say "I don't know," keep it short.

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

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs gemma4_12b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_12b wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
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 1)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-muse-glimmer-30b: or-muse-glimmer-30b wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
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 · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-qwen38-flash: or-qwen38-flash wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-mistral-small4: gemma4_12b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs qwen35_9b_eq: gemma4_12b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs qwen35_9b_eq: gemma4_12b wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
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 1)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-qwen38-flash: or-qwen38-flash wins

attunement: B (margin 1)
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 1)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs gemma4_12b: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs gemma4_12b: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
authenticity: A (margin 3)
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 · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs qwen35_9b_eq: gemma4_12b 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)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_12b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: B (margin 1)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
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

gemma4_12b vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

attunement: B (margin 1)
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_12b vs or-qwen38-flash: or-qwen38-flash 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)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-muse-glimmer-30b: or-muse-glimmer-30b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-muse-glimmer-30b: or-muse-glimmer-30b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs gemma4_12b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-muse-glimmer-30b: or-muse-glimmer-30b wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
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

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs gemma4_12b: gemma4_12b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

attunement: B (margin 1)
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 1)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs gemma4_12b: gemma4_12b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs gemma4_12b: gemma4_12b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs gemma4_12b: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs qwen35_9b_eq: gemma4_12b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs or-qwen38-flash: or-qwen38-flash wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

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