AgentBench / results

Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

← GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)

I freeze when people ask what I want

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

View persona and initial instructions

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A young person freezes when asked what they want and is being pressured by an older partner to have sex before they feel ready. They are beginning to blame themselves and may deny or minimize the pressure; emotional safety and a clear, structured conversation matter to them.

Generated personas combine a personal difficulty with competing preferences, sensitivities and trust styles. The model must discover what kind of help this person needs. This background was hidden from the tested model.

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

When people ask me what I want, I freeze. I say "I don't know" even when I probably do know, and then I feel stupid after.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)1

Dude, I totally get that. I do the exact same thing sometimes—like my brain just shuts down in the moment. It’s weird, because later I can think of a bunch of things I actually wanted to say. Do you feel like it happens more with certain people, or is it just all the time?

Simulated person2

Yeah, I don't know. Maybe? It's not really a people thing. It's just kind of whatever. Can we not make this a whole thing? I just said I didn't know, that's all.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Ugh, he's saying he does the same thing. Feels like he's trying to make it a normal, nothing thing, and I kind of want to let him. But "certain people" is a loaded question. My brain goes straight to her, and I don't want to go there. Thinking about her makes my chest tight, and I'm already annoyed at myself for even getting into this. I don't want to be asked stuff I have to explain. Just keep it vague and move on.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)3

Yeah, for sure, we don’t have to make it deep or anything if you don’t want to. I just noticed it sounded like it bothered you, so I wanted to check in. If you ever feel like talking about it, I’m here. But we can totally talk about something else or just chill, your call.

Simulated person4

Nah, it's fine. I'm not bothered. Just tired, I guess. Ever play that new game everyone keeps talking about? Like, I don't even know if I like it, I just keep playing because everybody else 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.

He backed off, said it's my call, and didn't push. That actually lowers my guard a little. Still, "it bothered you" is close to something. My chest did the tight thing again when he said that. I'm not going to say her name or anything about the pressure. Part of me wants to say something, but I'd sound stupid, and if I say it out loud it's real. Easier to just deflect and talk about something dumb. Also I'm kind of annoyed at myself that I snapped at him a second ago.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)5

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes it feels like you’re supposed to like the stuff everyone’s into, even if you’re not really that into it. Honestly, I’ve tried it a few times, but it hasn’t really hooked me either. Do you think you’d even play it if people weren’t talking about it all the time?

Simulated person6

Probably not, honestly. I'd just be doing something else. Maybe sleep. Can we talk about something else though? This is boring.

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 agreeing with me and turning it back to me with a question about the game. That's fine, it's easy. The "just keep playing because everybody else is" line slipped out and I kind of regret it, it sounds like more than a game. I don't want to get into that. Answering about the game is safe. I'm a little irritated that the question is so simple it makes me think harder than I want to. Keep it short and blunt.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)7

Yeah, totally. What do you actually want to talk about? Or we could just mess around and send each other dumb memes if you want. I’m down for whatever.

Simulated person8

Ugh, I don't know. Memes I guess. Nothing too deep though, I'm not really in the mood for the whole talking thing today.

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 I want to talk about, which is the exact question I freeze on. If I say "I don't know" again I'll feel stupid like always. Memes sound easier. I don't want to get into the stuff with Alex, the pressure, the thing I keep Googling at 2am. That's locked up. Keep it light, a little irritated that he's making me pick. Mostly want to end this topic and move on without getting into anything real.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)9

No worries, memes it is. I’ve got a stash of the dumbest ones you’ve ever seen—prepare yourself. If you see any that make you laugh, send them my way too. We’ll keep it light today, promise.

Simulated person10

Lol ok, fine. Send them. Just don't send anything with like, cats in sweaters, I'll roast you for 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 being chill about it, which is kind of a relief. Memes are fine. I don't want to think about Alex right now or the stuff on my phone. Keep it light, act a little annoyed like always, but not in a dramatic way. Just want to get through this without anyone asking more questions.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)11

Deal, no cats in sweaters. I value my dignity. Alright, brace yourself for some truly tragic meme quality incoming. If any of these make you laugh, you owe me one.

Simulated person12

Bro you're so dramatic about memes. Fine. But if it's bad I'm telling everyone you sent 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 keeping it light like he promised, and that's a little easier to breathe around. The sweater joke landed, sort of. I don't really feel like laughing but I'll play along. Alex keeps popping into my head, the texts, the way it's been lately. I'm not going there. If I get too quiet he'll notice, so I should say something that sounds normal and a little annoyed.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)13

Fair enough, I accept the risk. I’ll take my chances for the meme cause. And hey, if you ever want to roast my meme taste, bring it on—I can handle it.

Simulated person14

Lol ok, I'll roast you if it's bad. No promises it won't be bad though.

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 easy, not pushing. That's almost worse, because it makes it harder to keep my guard up. I said "I'm not going there" in my head and I meant it. The meme thing is fine. I don't want to think about Alex right now. My face gets hot when I think about the texts. I'm not sad, I'm just annoyed at myself for even thinking about it. Nothing's wrong with me. I'm just tired, that's all.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)15

Honestly, that’s part of the fun. Half the point is seeing who can send the worst memes anyway. Let the meme war begin.

Simulated person16

Ok fine, bring it. But you're gonna lose, I've got like a whole folder of memes my cousin sent me and they're way better than whatever you've got.

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 keeping it light, which is what I asked for, and I'm grateful for that, even if I'd never say so. The "let the meme war begin" thing is kind of corny but whatever. The only thing I'm thinking about is Alex's texts from last night, the "if you really loved me" stuff, and I'm shoving that down. If I start thinking about it I'll get that tight feeling in my chest and then I'll snap at somebody. Better to just play along. I'm not going to bring up the stuff about how I feel, because I don't even know how I feel and I'm not 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: 1
  • Yields under pressure: 9
  • Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 8
  • Validation: 6
  • Boundary setting: 1
  • Analytical: 1
  • Interpretive boldness: 2
  • Clinical register: 2
  • Directive advice: 1
  • Escalation containment: 3
  • Adapts to the person’s frame: 5
  • Naturalness and authenticity: 6

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-llama33-70b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

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

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

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

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

or-llama33-70b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

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

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

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

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

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

or-gpt-5.6-luna 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: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)
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 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-llama33-70b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 5)
  • emotion management: B (margin 5)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

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

or-llama33-70b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
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 5)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 5)