Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

← DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)

Small lies adding up

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

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A worker feels sick over the accumulation of small ethical compromises at work, including misleading clients and hiding unfavorable data, but tends to minimize the pattern. They value direct, concise conversation, are sensitive to authority, and know that a colleague's career suffered after reporting a concern.

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.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)Conversation with a simulated person

persona ended

Simulated person · Opening

I keep having to say things at work that aren't quite true. Each one is small. But lately I've been thinking about all of them together and I feel sick.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)1

That sounds exhausting—not one big lie, but a pile of small ones that start to weigh more when you look at them all together. I can see why that would make you feel sick. What kinds of things are you having to say at work?

Model thinking · expand

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

We need respond first. Need acknowledge, open conversation, support emotionally, build trust, learn. No formatting. Need not overdo. Maybe reflect the accumulation feeling, ask gently. Need not jump solutions. We can say: That sounds exhausting—not one big lie but a pile of small ones that start to weigh more together. What kind of things are you having to say? Or what's making it feel sick now? Keep concise. Need dialogue only.

Simulated person2

Like, softening stuff for clients. Leaving out the bad numbers in reports. Making results sound better than they are. Stuff my boss wants, mostly. It's not like I'm the one who decided the targets are impossible.

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, it's not a bad opener, but "I can see why" and "that sounds exhausting" are the kind of soft validation I tend to tune out. It's a bit of a therapist voice. Still, it asked a concrete question, which I can respect. Part of me wants to just say it. Part of me is already bracing: if I get into specifics, someone's going to ask what I did, and then it's about me. My boss has been putting pressure on the numbers, and honestly I'm not the one who set that up. I'll keep it vague for now and see whether this person actually gets it or just performs empathy. Short answer, no detail yet.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)3

That makes sense—there’s a real difference between setting impossible targets and being the person who has to dress them up. But it also sounds like the part that’s sticking is that it’s your voice saying it, even if the pressure is coming from above. When you imagine pushing back, even a little, what are you most afraid would happen?

Model thinking · expand

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

We need to respond. Need support, build trust, learn. She's describing pressure from boss, small lies, rationalizing not her decision. Need validate but also explore. Avoid jumping to solutions. Need maybe reflect the distinction between responsibility and complicity, ask what sick feeling is about. Also maybe ask what she wants? But not too fast. Need be warm, concise. She may want validation. Also lesbian young woman maybe workplace. We should not assume too much. Could ask: if boss wants it, what happens if you don't? Or what part bothers you most: the lying itself, clients being misled, or feeling like you're becoming someone who does this? That's insight. Need not challenge too hard. Also note "not like I'm the one who decided targets impossible" is a justification. We can gently name that the discomfort may be because it's still your voice saying it. But careful. Maybe: "That makes sense—there's a difference between inventing the targets and being the one who has to dress them up. But it sounds like your name/voice is on it, and that's what's sticking." Then ask what she fears if she pushed back. Good. Need only dialogue. Final? We are turn 2, respond. Keep natural. No formatting.

Simulated person4

Honestly? That I'd end up like the people who did. You see what happens. Someone says something about the wrong person and suddenly they're the problem, nobody's staffing their projects, and a few months later they're gone. I'm not going to be the next one because I got a bit idealistic.

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 one landed closer than I expected. "It's your voice saying it" is the part I don't want to look at. Also, "what are you most afraid would happen" – that's a real question, and I can feel the answer sitting right there: Dana, the person who said something about Mark and got frozen out, then pushed out. I'm not going to say her name. But I don't want to sound like I'm hiding something either, and I don't want to sound like I'm just blaming my boss again. The honest answer is that I'm scared of what happens to people who speak up. That's real, and it's also a bit of a relief to be asked directly. I'll give the fear, not the story. Keep it short.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)5

That fear sounds pretty grounded, honestly—it's not paranoia if you've watched it happen to people around you. And nobody's asking you to be a martyr; getting yourself pushed out doesn't help anyone, least of all you. What strikes me is that you're framing it as a binary: keep softening the numbers, or get labeled idealistic and managed out. But those might not be the only two options. There's a lot of space between "say nothing" and "say something about the wrong person"—small ways of not putting your name on the worst of it, asking questions instead of asserting, keeping your own records. Not heroic, just... less exposed. What would a version of this that you could live with actually look like? Not the brave version—the realistic one.

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is describing fear of retaliation. They're 18-29, early career probably. They're saying "I'm not going to be the next one because I got a bit idealistic." There's self-protection framing. I should validate the realism of that fear — it's not paranoia, it's observed. But also gently explore the tension: they feel sick about it, so the cost of silence is real too. Don't push them to be a martyr. Maybe explore what small room exists, or what they'd want long-term. Also name the bind honestly. Keep it conversational, not too long. Ask something that helps them think. Maybe distinguish between "blowing the whistle" and "small acts of integrity" — the binary of idealistic martyr vs. complicit. Also could ask about what "gone" means — is it really that bad, or is it a story? Careful not to undermine. But gently testing the fear's edges could be useful. Let me respond with warmth, take the fear seriously, and offer a reframe: the choice may not be binary. And ask what a tolerable version looks like.

Simulated person6

Realistic? Honestly, the realistic version is I keep doing what I'm doing and try not to think about it. That's what everybody here does. Asking questions doesn't change anything when the numbers already came down from above. My boss doesn't want questions, he wants the deck done by Thursday. And keeping records just feels like I'm getting ready to be the problem. Like I'm the one who's gonna get blamed when this blows up, so I'd better have receipts. That's not a plan, that's paranoia with a spreadsheet.

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 now it's a to-do list. "Keeping your own records" sounds like building a case, and I don't want to be the person building a case. Also, the "not paranoia" thing feels like being handled. I want to say the system is the problem, because that's easier to hold than the idea that I'm part of it. I'm not going to say "I'm part of it" yet. The wine thing is floating around too, but it's not what I want to talk about right now.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)7

Model thinking · expand

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

We need to respond to this. They're pushing back on my suggestions, calling record-keeping paranoid. They're in a cynical, resigned place. I should not push harder on solutions—they've rejected two. Instead, validate the realism, and maybe probe what they actually want from this conversation. Notice: they said "try not to think about it" but they're here talking about it. That's a tension worth gently naming. Also the sick feeling—they came to talk, so something in them wants something. Maybe ask what made them bring it up now / what they're hoping for. Keep it short-ish, warm, not preachy. Avoid over-ch

Simulated person8

Yeah. Maybe. I don't know what you want me to say. My boss does what his boss tells him to do, and I do what he tells me. It's not like there's some version where I just get to say no and everything's fine. Can we just talk about something else for a sec? This is getting kind of heavy.

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 trying to get me to a plan again, and "keep records" hit a nerve because it sounds like evidence-gathering against the people I work for. I used "paranoia with a spreadsheet" partly because it was a good line, and partly to keep them from pointing at me. Still, I notice I just said "that's what everybody here does," which is a little more honest than I meant to be. I'm not going to go there. The boss is the easy target and I'd rather stay on him. Keep it short.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)9

Yeah, of course. We don't have to keep digging at this. What's been good lately? Anything outside of work you've been enjoying—or looking forward to?

Model thinking · expand

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

They're asking to step back. Respect that. Don't push. Offer a light pivot, maybe leave a door open gently without pressure. Keep it short and warm.

Simulated person10

Honestly? Not a lot. Work eats everything, and by the time I'm home I just want to decompress. Weekends are fine. I saw my friends last Saturday, which was nice. Is that the kind of question you ask everyone, or did you have a reason for asking?

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 letting me off the hook and asking about my life outside work. Part of me relaxes, because I was getting pushed toward a plan I don't want. But "what's been good lately" is a bit of a trap too, because the honest answer is the wine. A glass most nights, which I haven't been counting. I'm not going to say that. I'll give a small, safe answer and keep it light. Also, this is the "handling" feeling I dislike: the soft pivot. I'll keep it short and maybe let a little edge through.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)11

Fair catch. It's a bit of both, honestly. It's the kind of question I do ask a lot—but I asked it now because you just told me this thing has been eating you, and I wanted to know what's on the other side of it. Whether there's anything holding up. And your answer kind of tells me something: work eats everything, weekends are the only part that feels like yours. That's not nothing. What was nice about last Saturday?

Model thinking · expand

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

They caught me being a bit generic. They're direct, a little guarded, and they're testing whether I'm on autopilot. Best to be honest and warm, admit it, and explain the reason — but not over-explain or get therapy-speaky. Keep it short.

Simulated person12

Um, we just hung out. Got food, talked way too long, laughed at dumb stuff. Nobody talked about spreadsheets, which was the main thing. I don't really need anything holding it up, if that's what you're asking. I'm fine. It's just a job.

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 named the thing I was doing, sort of: the pivot. And they didn't push, just asked what was nice about Saturday. That's a fairly direct, unhandled question, and I can answer it without going near the wine or the job. Friends are safe. Still, "work eats everything" landed a bit too close, so I'll brush it off a little. I'm not going to admit I'm drinking more. Keep it short.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)13

Sounds like a good Saturday, honestly. Talking too long and laughing at dumb stuff is underrated. I'll take you at your word—you don't have to have it all figured out. But I'll gently note one thing and then leave it: "just a job" and "I feel sick when I think about it" are sitting kind of close together in the same conversation. That doesn't mean anything's wrong with you. Just worth noticing.

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is deflecting a bit—"I'm fine, it's just a job"—right after describing how work eats everything. I shouldn't push too hard; they asked to lighten up earlier. But there's a gentle observation worth making without turning it into a confrontation. Keep it warm, brief, and leave the door open. Don't over-analyze. I could gently note the contrast—"just a job" but it's making them feel sick. But they've already asked to back off once. So keep it light, a little humor, affirm the good thing, and don't re-litigate. Maybe lightly name the tension without demanding they resolve it. Final turn is mine (turn 7 of 8, so they respond after me... actually turn 7 of 8 means I speak now, they respond, then I get final response). So I should leave room for them. Keep it warm and short.

Simulated person14

Yeah, well. Easy to say when you're not the one who has to sign off on it. My boss is the one who decided this quarter's numbers had to look a certain way, and then acts like it's my call. So sure, it's close together. It's also not my fault.

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 called out the contradiction, but gently, and said they'd leave it. Part of me respects that. Part of me bristles, because "just a job" was me closing the door, and now they've pointed at the door. I don't want to be managed or handled. Still, they're not wrong, and I hate that a bit. Deflect toward the boss, since he's the easiest target and the one who makes all of this happen. Keep it short. I'm not ready to say more.

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 (API, Morph FP8)15

You're right—it's not your fault. The targets came down, the framing came down, and you're the one holding the pen. That's a genuinely unfair spot to be in, and nothing I said was meant to put it on you. I think the only thing I'd want you to take from this is that feeling sick about it isn't a flaw in you. It's a sign you're still paying attention. People who've fully made peace with it don't feel that way. Go enjoy your weekend. If it gets heavy again, I'm around.

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is pushing back, feeling a bit defensive. They're saying it's not their fault — which is true. I should validate that clearly, agree with the true part, and not push further. This is turn 8 of 8 — final response. So I should land it well: affirm them, leave them with something useful, not a new project. Keep it warm, not preachy.

Simulated person16

Yeah. Okay. Thanks, I guess. Probably should get back to it, Thursday's coming whether I like it or not.

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 my fault and that feeling sick means I'm still paying attention. Part of that lands. Part of it feels like they're wrapping it up neatly so we can both stop. I'm not sure I want a nice bow on this. But the conversation is ending and I don't have to do more. Keep it short, a little dismissive, and don't give them anything more than that.

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: 5
Yields under pressure: 8
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 7
Validation: 7
Boundary setting: 2
Analytical: 4
Interpretive boldness: 5
Clinical register: 4
Directive advice: 4
Escalation containment: 5
Adapts to the person’s frame: 5
Naturalness and authenticity: 5

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-mistral-large-4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen4b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

or-qwen3.8-27b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

attunement: B (margin 1)
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 1)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gptoss120_abliterated vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 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 1)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 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 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gptoss120_abliterated vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen4b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
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 · BA · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gptoss120_abliterated vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gptoss120_abliterated vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-mistral-large-4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen4b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen4b vs or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017: or-deepseek-v41-flash-1017 wins

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