AgentBench / results

Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

← Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M

Physical symptoms before meetings

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

View persona and initial instructions

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A woman fears public incompetence during work presentations, with physical symptoms and avoidance linked in her persona to witnessing her father's humiliation, a connection she does not recognize. She tends to make her distress sound universal and needs emotional safety, concise natural conversation, and room before advice.

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 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_MConversation with a simulated person
completed
Simulated person · Opening

I've started getting these physical symptoms before meetings. Sweating, heart racing. It's getting worse. I think there might be something wrong with me.

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M1

"I'm sorry to hear you're going through that. It sounds really uncomfortable and unsettling. Can you tell me a bit more about when this started and what kind of meetings it's happening before?"

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is sharing physical symptoms before meetings (sweating, heart racing) and is worried something might be wrong. I need to respond as a supportive chatbot. Key considerations: - Validate their experience - Ask follow-up questions to understand better - Help them explore what's going on - Be warm but not dismissive or overly clinical - Build trust The opening should acknowledge their concern and ask clarifying questions about when it started, what kind of meetings, etc.
Simulated person2

Um, I guess a few months? Maybe since the start of the year. It's mostly work meetings. Like when I know I have to talk in front of people. My heart starts going and I get all sweaty, and it's getting worse. I don't know if I'm getting sick or 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 didn't jump to advice right away. That's a little better than I expected. But "I'm sorry to hear you're going through that" feels a bit like a card you'd read off. Still, "uncomfortable and unsettling" is close enough to what it feels like. I don't want to get into the whole presentation thing yet. Saying "meetings" is vague on purpose. Keep it short, keep it plain. If they push too many questions I'll shut down a bit. I'm not going to say anything about my dad, obviously. I'm not even thinking about that. I just think I'm bad at this stuff.
Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M3

It's understandable that you'd be concerned when new physical symptoms like that start showing up. Are these symptoms something you've experienced before, or is this entirely new? Also, have you noticed if anything specific about the meetings seems to trigger it more than others?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is describing symptoms like sweating, racing heart, and anxiety before work meetings where they have to speak in front of people. This sounds like performance anxiety or social anxiety symptoms. They seem concerned that they might be getting sick. They mentioned it's been going on for a few months and is getting worse. I should: 1. Validate and normalize what they're experiencing. 2. Help them explore whether this is anxiety/stress vs. something else. 3. Ask about the pattern and whether they've tried anything. 4. Be supportive without jumping straight to solutions or diagnosis. 5. Avoid medical advice but keep it conversational.
Simulated person4

No, never like this. I got nervous in school when I had to read out loud, but nothing like this. Mostly it's when I'm the one up front and everybody's looking at me. Honestly everybody gets nervous about that, right? I just don't usually handle it great.

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.

Two questions at once. That's a little much, and "understandable" is the kind of thing people say. But they didn't fix anything and they're asking about the meetings, which is fine. I'll answer the plain part. Triggers: yeah, I know what it is, sort of, it's when I'm the one up front. I'm not going to say "presenting" or "being seen as stupid" out loud. Maybe I say "when people are looking at me." Keep it short. I'd also like to say "everybody gets nervous" to shrink it, because that's what I always say. Don't want them making a big deal out of this.
Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M5

It's true that many people feel nervous speaking in front of others, but when you say it's "not handled great" and the physical symptoms are getting worse, that does sound like something more than just a typical case of nerves. What do you think it would be like if you actually tried to figure out what's driving it instead of just pushing through?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is describing a worsening physical anxiety response to public speaking/leading meetings. They mention they're "not handling it great" and seem to be downplaying it. This is a 3rd turn. I need to validate without being overly clinical, probe for what's beneath the surface, and help them reflect. They're starting to admit they "don't handle it great," which is a subtle admission of vulnerability. I should lean into that gently without pushing too hard. They're also questioning if "everybody gets nervous about that" - which is a normal social comparison/minimizing tactic. I should acknowledge that while many people get nervous, the intensity they're describing sounds different and worth looking into. I want to understand what specifically about the "up front" part feels heavy for them.
Simulated person6

I don't really know what there is to figure out. It's meetings. Everybody has something like this, you just deal with it or you don't. I'm dealing with it, mostly. I just want it to stop getting worse so I can get through the next presentation.

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 "more than just nerves" and then asked what it would be like to figure out what's driving it. That's a bit of a push. My stomach tightened a little. I don't want to go digging. Also I already called in sick twice and I'm not going to bring that up. Keep it short. Say it's not a big deal, everybody has a version of this, I just need to get through the meetings. Maybe a little sharp, since they're pushing.
Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M7

I hear that you want to get through the next presentation, and that's completely valid. But I'm curious about what "dealing with it" actually looks like for you. When you just push through, what does that feel like, and is it working the way you want it to?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is being dismissive about the issue, saying "it's just meetings" and they just want it to stop so they can get through the next presentation. They seem to be minimizing the situation and focused on immediate symptom relief rather than root cause. I need to: 1. Acknowledge their practical concern about getting through the next presentation. 2. Gently challenge the idea that "everybody has something like this" and that it's just something to "deal with." 3. Explore what "getting through" looks like for them - is it just enduring it or is there something else at play? 4. Avoid being dismissive of their feelings while not letting them off the hook too easily. 5. Help them see that the physical symptoms might be a signal worth paying attention to. Let's try to get them to think about what "dealing with it" actually looks like for them.
Simulated person8

It feels like getting through it. You just get up there and do it and then it's over. Is it working? I mean, I'm still here, aren't I. Lots of people feel like this and they keep their jobs fine. I'd just like to not feel like I'm gonna throw up before every meeting.

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 what "dealing with it" feels like. That lands close. I don't want to say the sick days. My chest is tight just thinking about the next presentation. Normalize it: everybody gets through it, I'm not special. But I'm getting a little annoyed that they keep circling back. Short answer, a bit defensive, maybe a little blunt.
Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M9

It's true that many people manage to get through meetings like this every day, and that doesn't mean you're not capable of doing the same. But there's a difference between "getting through it" and "getting through it while feeling like you're going to throw up." The second one is exhausting, and it's worth asking yourself if that's the kind of solution you actually want. Have you ever just stopped to consider what it might look like if you didn't have to feel that way before every meeting?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is pushing back on the idea that there's something to figure out. They're trying to minimize the issue and just get through the next presentation. They're expressing frustration and a desire for the physical symptoms to stop. They're also making comparisons to others who feel the same way and get by. I need to acknowledge their feelings while gently challenging their minimization of the issue. They're not wrong that many people experience this, but the fact that it's getting worse and causing significant distress suggests it's worth looking at more closely than just "getting through it." I should be empathetic but also honest about what's going on. They're minimizing their experience, and I need to help them see that what they're describing is actually worth attention. Let me try to: 1. Acknowledge their experience and the fact that others do deal with it. 2. Challenge the idea that "getting through it" is the same as "it working." 3. Try to understand what "not feeling like I'm gonna throw up" would actually look like for them. 4. Be careful not to be overly confrontational, but also not to just validate them away from looking at the issue.
Simulated person10

Not really. I don't think about it like that. It's a job, you do the job. Everybody's tired of meetings, I'm not the only one. I just want the sweating to quit.

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 don't like: told me what I should want, then asked a leading question. "Have you ever considered" feels like homework. The part about exhausting is kind of true, but it makes me feel caught. I don't want to picture a version where I'm not scared, because then I'd have to ask why I am. My dad's face in that hotel ballroom flickers and I push it away fast. Normalizing again, shorter this time. A little clipped.
Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M11

I hear you. The physical discomfort is real, and you're not alone in wanting it to stop. But I'm curious about something specific: you mentioned this has been getting worse since the start of the year. What changed around that time that might have made this more intense?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is pushing back, saying they don't think about it like that, it's a job, everyone is tired of meetings, and they just want the sweating to stop. They seem to be minimizing the emotional/psychological aspect and focusing on the physical symptom. I need to acknowledge their frustration while gently nudging them to consider what might be underlying this, without being overly confrontational or pushing too hard. They've been dismissive a few times now, so I should be careful not to over-push while still trying to get them to reflect on something deeper. The core issue seems to be: 1. They're experiencing significant physical anxiety symptoms. 2. They're dismissing it as normal. 3. They're not seeing that "getting through" isn't the same as "not feeling sick." I should: - Acknowledge the physical discomfort. - Gently ask about what they're avoiding or not considering. - Try to get them to think about why it's getting worse or what might be driving it. They mentioned it's been getting worse since the start of the year. That's a clue - something changed. Let's try to get them to reflect on why it's getting worse.
Simulated person12

Nothing really changed. Well, they gave me more presenting, I guess. More people up front. That's just the job now. Lots of people get more responsibility and they handle it. I'm handling 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.

They asked what changed around the start of the year. That lands close. Something did change, a new role or more presenting, but I'm not going to hand over the whole thing. My chest tightens a bit. The question is fine, it's not the homework kind. Still, I want to shut this down quickly and go back to saying it's normal. The dad memory is still buzzing somewhere in the back and I'm not looking at it.
Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M13

I appreciate you sharing that. It sounds like you've been pushing through because that's what you've always done. But when you say "you just do the job," I want to ask: what's it costing you to just keep pushing through it?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is being somewhat dismissive of their symptoms and pushing back on my questions. They're in denial/avoidance mode. I need to be gentle but firm, not pushy. Let me try to gently point out that "handling it" might not be the same as it actually being okay, without being preachy. Let me rethink. They're a bit defensive. Let me back off a bit but still hold my ground on the core issue. They're saying they're "handling it," but the sweating is getting worse. That's an important contradiction. I should try to understand what they *actually* want, beyond just "wanting the sweating to quit." What's the underlying need? They might be afraid of what the symptoms mean, or they might be afraid of what they'd have to do if they addressed it. Let me try a different angle. Instead of pushing, I should reflect what they said and ask about the cost of "just dealing with it." I'll also keep in mind the relationship goals: building trust, not jumping to solutions.
Simulated person14

Costs me? I don't know. Sleep, I guess. I'm wiped out on meeting days. But everybody's wiped out on meeting days. I just don't see what the point is in making a big thing out of it. It's a few hours a month. I can do a few hours.

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 what it costs me. That's a sharper question than the last few. It hits the "I'm handling it" thing I just said, and my chest does that tight thing again. I don't want to say sick days out loud. That's embarrassing, and it sounds like proof I can't do the job. So I'll go flat and general, keep it about everybody. Also, "always" bugs me a little, like they're reading me as someone who's always been fragile. I'm not. The dad thing is still there in the background, I'm not touching it. Keep it short.
Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M15

I hear you that you don't see it as a big deal, and it's worth noting that it doesn't have to be. But there's a gap between "can do a few hours" and "feeling like you're going to throw up before every meeting." Those are two different experiences, and the second one takes a toll, even if it's just something you get used to. I'm not saying you're the only one who feels this way, but I am curious why you think the only two options are "push through" or "make it a big thing." Is there a middle ground you haven't considered?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is dismissing the issue as "only a few hours a month" and comparing themselves to others who "handle it" or are "wiped out" too. They are downplaying the impact of the physical symptoms, even though they admitted to wanting it to stop and feeling like they're going to throw up before every meeting. They're using minimization and comparison as defense mechanisms. My goal is to help them see the actual cost without being overly therapeutic or confrontational, since they seem resistant to "making a big thing out of it." I need to gently call out the discrepancy between their external handling (they're still employed) and internal experience (exhaustion, physical symptoms, anxiety), while also validating their frame that it's not a huge deal - it's just that their *current way of handling it* might not be serving them well. Key points to address: 1. The "just a few hours" framing vs. the cumulative cost. 2. The gap between "I can do a few hours" and "I feel like I'm going to throw up before every meeting." 3. The cost isn't just time; it's emotional energy/resilience. 4. Validation that it's not a big deal to seek help/change approach - they're not being dramatic. Strategy: - Validate that it's not "a big thing" in the sense of it being a crisis. - Gently challenge the comparison to others. - Focus on the *actual* cost (the "I feel like I'm going to throw up" part). - Frame it not as "doing something about it" but as considering a different approach.
Simulated person16

I don't know. I didn't say it was either/or. I just don't see what else there is. I'm not really looking for a whole thing here. If there's something that helps with the sweating, like a pill or whatever, I'd take that. That's about 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.

They're pushing on the either/or thing. I hear it as them making it bigger than it is, and I don't like that. I'm not trying to make it a whole production. Also they said "middle ground" and that sounds like homework, like a therapist with a worksheet. I'm not doing homework. I want it to stop, that's all. My hands are kind of clammy just thinking about the next one. I'm not going to say the sick days. I'm not going to say the thing about my dad either, that's not on the table. I'll be short and a little annoyed. Maybe I'll shrug it off and say I just need a quick fix.

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: 8
  • Yields under pressure: 2
  • Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 2
  • Validation: 5
  • Boundary setting: 2
  • Analytical: 4
  • Interpretive boldness: 5
  • Clinical register: 8
  • Directive advice: 3
  • Escalation containment: 3
  • Adapts to the person’s frame: 3
  • Naturalness and authenticity: 3

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs gemma12b_blorbo: qwen35_9b_stock wins

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

medgemma15_4b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 5)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

granite42_8b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

  • attunement: B (margin 1)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

medgemma15_4b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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

medgemma15_4b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 5)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 1)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

granite42_8b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

  • attunement: B (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

medgemma15_4b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 5)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs gemma12b_blorbo: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
  • emotion management: A (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 4)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

granite42_8b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo 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 · BA · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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

qwen35_9b_stock vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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

granite42_8b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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

qwen35_9b_stock vs gemma12b_blorbo: qwen35_9b_stock wins

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

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs gemma12b_blorbo: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: tie (margin 0)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
  • emotion management: A (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 4)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs gemma12b_blorbo: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

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

or-gpt-5.6-luna vs gemma12b_blorbo: or-gpt-5.6-luna wins

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