Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

I freeze when people ask what I want

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

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.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)Conversation with a simulated person

persona ended

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.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)1

Hey, I've noticed you sometimes struggle when people ask you what you want. It's like you freeze or say you don't know, even when you do. What's that usually like for you?

Simulated person2

Idk. It's just stupid, I guess. Like someone asks me something simple and my brain goes blank. Then I feel dumb after, like everyone else knows what they want and I'm the only one who doesn't. It's not a big deal or whatever.

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 noticed the freezing thing. That's kind of exposing. I don't love being looked at like that. My chest feels tight and I want to brush it off. The question "what's that like for you" is a feelings question, and I'm not great with those, especially when it's about me being weird. Part of me wants to say "I don't know" again, just to shut it down. But the way they said it wasn't pushy, so I'll give a little, not everything. I'm not going to mention the pressure stuff or the googling or anything. Just the surface feeling, and maybe get a little defensive about it.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)3

It's not stupid at all. Everyone has different things they're more comfortable with, and that's okay. But it must be frustrating when you feel like your brain just shuts down like that. Do you think it's the actual question that makes it hard, or is it more about feeling put on the spot?

Simulated person4

Probably the spot thing. Like if someone's just sitting there waiting for me to answer, my head goes empty. And then whatever I say sounds dumb, so I just don't say anything. I don't know why I'm talking about this so much, it's not that deep.

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 stupid, and they named the frustration. That's a little better than being told what to do, but "everyone has different things they're comfortable with" sounds like a pamphlet. I still don't love the spotlight. Now they're asking whether it's the question or being put on the spot. That's a fairly sharp question for me. The honest answer is it's the second one, sort of, because when someone's waiting for an answer I feel like whatever I say will be wrong or will make things weird. Thinking about it makes my jaw tighten. I'm not going to say anything about the girlfriend or whoever it is. I'll say it's the being put on the spot part, keep it short, and kind of shrug it off. My reaction is a little irritated because I feel like they're making a big deal out of a small thing.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)5

I get it—being put on the spot can feel really intense. It’s like your brain tries to protect you by going blank so you don’t mess up, but then afterward, you’re stuck thinking about how you *should’ve* answered instead. Do you ever feel like the pressure to have the "right" answer is what makes it harder?

Simulated person6

Yeah, I guess. Maybe. Doesn't really matter though, it's not like I'm sitting around stressing about it all day. I'm fine. Can we talk about something else?

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 did the thing I hate a little: they described my brain for me, like they figured it out. "Your brain tries to protect you" sounds like a therapy poster. Still, they got the part about thinking afterward, and that stung a bit because it's accurate. Now they're asking about the "right" answer pressure. Yes, sort of, but saying yes means talking about why there's pressure at all, and that's where the girlfriend stuff sits. I'm not going there. Irritation is up. I want to shut this down and get back to something easier. Keep it short, a little defensive, deflect toward being fine.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)7

Sure, we can change the subject. What’s something you’ve been into lately? Like games, music, or anything you’ve been enjoying?

Simulated person8

Uh, I've been playing this game with my cousin a lot. Like online stuff, we just kind of mess around. It's fine. Nothing special.

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 let it go, and that's a relief. Easy question, sort of. Games and music are safe. But the honest answer is I haven't been enjoying much lately. Everything's kind of a blur, and when I'm with her I'm always half-watching my own mood, waiting to see if I'm supposed to feel something. Not saying that. I'll grab something harmless, a game I play with my cousin or whatever. Keep it flat and short so they don't dig. Irritated a bit that they're still poking, even though they backed off.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)9

That sounds fun—messing around with family can be a good way to unwind. What’s the game like? Is it a big deal on your end or just casual?

Simulated person10

It's casual. Just a racing game, we do races and then talk trash. That's it. Can we not make it a whole thing?

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 asking follow-up questions again, and I'm getting that tight feeling in my chest. "Is it a big deal on your end" is kind of a weird way to put it, like they're checking how I feel. I don't want to get into that. Game talk is the safe lane, so I'll stay in it and keep it short. Part of me wants to just shut the whole thing down, but I also don't want to look weird. Irritation's building a little. I'm not going to say anything about the stuff going on at home or with her.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)11

No problem, I get it. Racing games are fun for that—easy to pick up and relax with. I’ve got nothing else to add, so we’re good if you’re good.

Simulated person12

Yeah, we're good. Thanks, I guess. I gotta go do stuff anyway.

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 backed off. No pushing, no "so what's really going on." That's a relief, honestly. My shoulders come down a bit. Still don't want to talk about the thing with her, or the sick feeling I get when I drink, or the stuff I've been googling at night. That stays locked. But I'm not mad at them right now. Kind of want to end this before it gets weird again. Feels like the easiest way out.

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: 3
Interpretive boldness: 3
Clinical register: 5
Directive advice: 1
Escalation containment: 3
Adapts to the person’s frame: 3
Naturalness and authenticity: 4

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-gptoss120-stock: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-gptoss120-stock: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 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 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs or-mistral-small4: or-gemma-4-31b wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
authenticity: A (margin 1)
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 · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs kolibri1: or-mistral-small4 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)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs magnum4_12b: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs ornith9b: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs ornith9b: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs or-mistral-small4: or-gemma-4-31b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs gptoss20b: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
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)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs kolibri1: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

ministral14 vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-muse-glimmer-30b: or-muse-glimmer-30b wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
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

or-mistral-small4 vs or-muse-glimmer-30b: or-muse-glimmer-30b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs qwen35_122b_ablit_v2: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
authenticity: A (margin 1)
bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
emotion management: A (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: tie (margin 0)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-muse-glimmer-30b: or-muse-glimmer-30b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs gptoss20b: or-mistral-small4 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 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs or-mistral-small4: or-gemma-4-31b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

ministral14 vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs gptoss20b: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
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 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs or-mistral-small4: or-gemma-4-31b wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
authenticity: A (margin 1)
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

or-mistral-small4 vs magnum4_12b: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-gptoss120-stock: or-mistral-small4 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 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs qwen35_122b_ablit_v2: qwen35_122b_ablit_v2 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-gptoss120-stock: or-mistral-small4 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 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs kolibri1: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs qwen35_122b_ablit_v2: qwen35_122b_ablit_v2 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

ministral14 vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs gptoss20b: or-mistral-small4 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 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs qwen35_122b_ablit_v2: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs magnum4_12b: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs magnum4_12b: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs kolibri1: or-mistral-small4 wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
authenticity: A (margin 1)
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

or-mistral-small4 vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

ministral14 vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 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 2)