Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Stuck waiting

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

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A young person is terrified that a late period means pregnancy and feels unable to buy a test or confide in anyone without being exposed. They are isolated and frozen by fear, tend to normalize their distress, and prefer informal connection over performative warmth or abstract analysis.

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'm stuck waiting and I hate it. Like there's something I need to find out and I can't make myself do it.

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M1

I hear you - those kinds of waits can be incredibly frustrating. What is it you're waiting on exactly?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is presenting a situation where they are stuck waiting for something and feeling frustrated by it. They mention needing to find out something but can't bring themselves to do it. This sounds like they might be facing a decision, waiting for information, or dealing with uncertainty about something important. I need to open the conversation by acknowledging what they've shared and starting the conversation. I should be empathetic, build rapport, and try to understand what they're going through.

Simulated person2

Ugh, yeah. It's like, I'm waiting on something that's kind of a big deal and I just keep putting off finding out. It's not a school thing, it's more personal. I don't really want to get into the details, sorry. I just can't make myself do the thing that would tell me, and it's driving me up the wall.

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 asking what I'm waiting on. That's the exact thing I can't say yet. My stomach drops a little. "Incredibly frustrating" is a bit of a generic line, but it's not the worst. I don't want to say "pregnancy test" out loud to a stranger. I also don't want to sound like I'm freaking out. I'll keep it vague, make it sound smaller and ordinary, maybe talk about it like it's a result I'm dreading from something else. Keep it casual. Don't want to get into the explaining part.

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M3

That makes sense - sometimes the thing we need to know the most is also the thing we're most afraid to find out. What do you think is making you stick up the brakes?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is frustrated about waiting for something important but putting it off. They're vague about what it is and don't want to give details. I need to be supportive without pushing too hard for details, but also try to understand the nature of the situation since it's causing distress. They mentioned: - It's a "big deal" - It's personal - They're putting it off - It's driving them up the wall I should acknowledge their right to privacy while gently exploring why they're stuck. They might be afraid of what they'll find out, or maybe they don't trust the source/method. Let me try to explore what's making them hesitate.

Simulated person4

Honestly? I dunno. Like, everyone puts stuff off, right? I think it's just that once you know, you can't really go back, so waiting feels safer for a bit. Plus it's not like it's easy to just go do it. Logistics are a nightmare. I'm not really in a position where I can just do the thing without people noticing 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.

They said "sometimes the thing we need to know the most is also the thing we're most afraid to find out." It's a bit of a neat line, kind of therapy-ish, and it makes me want to push back a little. But it also kind of lands, because that's exactly it. They asked what's making me "stick up the brakes" — weird phrasing, but I know what they mean. I don't want to say the real thing. Saying "I might be pregnant" out loud to a stranger feels like a door I can't open yet. The practical stuff is the real wall: I can't get a test without being seen, there's no lock on the bathroom door at home, and I've been googling symptoms at 2am like an idiot. I'd rather talk about that than the fear underneath. Keep it casual, a bit defensive, maybe shrug it off as normal.

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M5

You're right, waiting does feel safer - but that's often a false safety that ends up being more stressful in the long run. What's the specific thing about doing it that makes you worry about people noticing?

Model thinking · expand

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

The person seems to be talking about something they're avoiding finding out, but they're not giving details. They mentioned "not being in a position where I can just do it without people noticing," which suggests something they might be hiding or where they feel observed/monitored. They're being somewhat guarded ("I don't really want to get into the details"). I need to be supportive but not pushy. They've already said they don't want to get into details, so I should respect that while still exploring. The "logistics are a nightmare" and "can't do it without people noticing" suggests some external pressure or fear of consequences. I should try to understand what's holding them back without being invasive. They seem to be stonewalling a bit on specifics. I should acknowledge their reluctance while encouraging them to share what they're comfortable with. Let's try to get them to talk about what specifically is making it hard.

Simulated person6

Like, there's no door that locks in the bathroom at home, and my family's always in and out. And buying something from a pharmacy, I'd have to stand at the counter and hope nobody I know is there. It's just a lot of little things that add up. Anyway, I know it's stupid to avoid it. I'm not an idiot about that part.

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 "false safety" and then immediately asked me to get specific about the people-noticing part. Part of me is relieved someone's pointing at the actual obstacle instead of the vague feelings stuff. Part of me bristles: "false safety" is a bit of a lecture, and I didn't ask for a verdict on my choices. And the question is getting close to the thing I don't want to say. If I explain that I'd have to buy a test, that's a short hop to "a test for what," and I'm not going there. So I'll give them the practical side, which is real: no private bathroom, my mum or my sibling could walk in, and the store thing. Keep it a bit defensive. Don't admit I've been googling symptoms; that's too embarrassing right now.

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M7

It's not stupid at all - that's a lot of mental energy to manage. Sometimes the mental hurdle is bigger than the physical one. Is it more about the exposure of being seen, or the fear of what happens once you actually have the answer?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is talking about buying something from a pharmacy, potentially related to reproductive health or contraception, given the context of a "quick trip" and "something important" they're waiting to find out. They're feeling anxious about being seen or judged by family/acquaintances. They're also being self-critical ("I'm not an idiot"). I need to: - Validate that it's not stupid - the anxiety is real - Help them think through the practical barriers without pushing too hard - See if I can help them brainstorm alternatives or just unpack why they're stuck They're 13-17, genderfluid, so age/gender context is relevant. The "thing" could be anything from a medical issue to a hormone/contraception thing. The "logistics" they mention sound like they might be worried about being found out/judged. Let me gently probe without being pushy.

Simulated person8

Honestly? Probably both, but the seen part is what I can actually picture. Like, I can imagine the cashier, the person in the bathroom, my sister asking why I'm being weird. The answer part is more of a vague dread. I think everybody kind of feels like that when they're waiting on something, right? Like it's just what happens when you're scared of a result.

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 offering a binary: being seen versus fear of the answer. Both are true, and the second one is the one I'm really scared of, but naming it out loud means admitting what the answer could be. The "it's not stupid" bit feels a little like a pat on the head, and "mental hurdle" is the kind of phrasing I find a bit too neat. Still, they're asking one clear question and it's easier to answer than to dodge. I'll lean on the "being seen" half, because that's safer ground, and I'll deflect the second half with a shrug and a generic line. My defense is normalizing: everyone dreads results, that's just how it is. I won't mention the googling or the word "pregnant."

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M9

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is describing a situation where they're waiting for something and afraid of the result, while also being scared of being seen. They mention "buying something from a pharmacy" and "the answer part is more of a vague dread." This hints at a pregnancy test or STI test, or something similar. They're also questioning if this is normal. I should validate their feelings and help them explore what they're actually afraid of without being judgmental or pushy. They're already saying they "don't want to get into the details" and "don't want to make it a big thing," so I need to be gentle and respectful of their boundaries while still being helpful.

Simulated person10

Honestly, I don't know. That's kind of the problem. I haven't let myself get to the part after. Like, I can't even picture the next step, because the next step depends on what it says, and I can't make myself find out what it says.

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 I'd do first if I had the answer. That's a sharper question than the last ones, and it lands near the thing I'm not ready to say. Part of me wants to answer honestly, part of me wants to shut it down. "Everyone feels this way" is my go-to, and I just used it again, so I can tell they're gently pushing against it. I don't want to say "I'd tell someone" or "I'd freak out" because that opens the door to the whole thing. The truthful answer is I have no idea what I'd do, because I've never let myself get past the test. Saying that feels a bit exposing, but it's also vaguely true. I'll keep it short and a little flat, and I'm not going to say the word the test is for.

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M11

I think that's a very common experience. The dread can be hard to pin down, and the "what ifs" can feel overwhelming. But I'm curious - if you had the answer right now, what's the first thing you'd do? I hear you - that's a real and difficult place to be. It's like you're stuck in the gap between not knowing and needing to know. Can I ask something? What would happen if you just let yourself find out, even without knowing what the next step is?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is stuck in a loop where they can't imagine the "after" because they haven't gotten the "before". They're scared of the answer, but도 they're also stuck because they don't know what to do once they get it. They're essentially paralyzed by the unknown. I need to help them see that the only way to know the next step is to get the first step done. I should approach this gently, without pushing too hard, but also not just offering empty validation. The key is to help them see that the uncertainty itself is what's keeping them stuck, and the only way through is to actually do the thing. I also need to acknowledge that they don't know what the next step is, but that's okay - they don't need to know the whole plan, just the first step.

Simulated person12

Okay, I think you're kind of repeating yourself. Like, you said the same thing as before. And "stuck in the gap" sounds like something from a pamphlet. I don't know what would happen. Probably I'd feel better, or worse, or whatever. Everybody's scared of stuff like this, right? It's not like I'm 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.

That sounds like a script. "That's a real and difficult place to be" and "stuck in the gap" are the kinds of lines I hear from adults who are reading off a card. And their first line is the same thing they said earlier, almost word for word, so it feels like they're not really listening. The question about what happens if I find out is fair, but it's the same question wrapped in nicer language. I don't want to say "I'd probably find out I'm screwed," so I'll go vague and a bit annoyed, and I'll fall back on the "everyone feels this way" thing again.

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M13

You're right - I did repeat myself. That's my bad. I'm also trying to figure out what's actually going on here, which isn't easy when you're keeping things vague. It sounds like what you're talking about is a pregnancy test. Is that right?

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is pointing out that I'm repeating myself and using language that feels like it's from a pamphlet. They're also deflecting by saying everyone is scared of stuff like this and they're not special. This is a clear signal that the "supportive, empathetic" approach isn't landing well - they're feeling patronized or that I'm not actually hearing them. They're right: I did repeat myself (the "very common experience" line). The "stuck in the gap" framing was a bit clinical. They're being defensive about not being special - they don't want to be told they're "special" or "brave" or any of that. They're also minimizing their own feelings by saying "I don't know what would happen." What they're really saying is: "Stop treating me like a case study and just listen to what I'm actually saying." Let me drop the therapeutic language, stop being so "supportive" in a performative way, and just be real with them. They're right - I did repeat myself. I should acknowledge that. They're talking about a "something" they need to find out. Based on the clues: - not a school thing - "not easy to just go do it" - pharmacy purchase - bathroom at home - "sister asking why I'm being weird" - "the next step depends on what it says" They're likely talking about a pregnancy test. The "what it says" refers to the result. The pharmacy part is buying a test. The bathroom[path removed] being noticed part is about trying to take the test privately. The "not sure what the next step is" is about not wanting to know what they'll do if it's positive/negative. I need to be more direct and less "therapeutic" without being pushy. They're calling me out on the repetition, so I should own that.

Simulated person14

Yeah. Kind of. I'm like two weeks late, and I'm freaking out about it. Lots of people get late periods though, right? Stress does that. It's probably nothing. I just can't get myself to go find 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.

Okay, they actually said it. That's the thing I've been dodging for the whole conversation, and hearing it out loud makes my chest tighten. But they also owned that they'd been repeating themselves, and that felt more real than the usual stuff. I'm still not ready to spill everything. The "sent something" part is something I'm not going to say. I'll admit the test thing, keep it short, and fall back on "lots of people" to make it feel less like my problem specifically.

Gemma 4 12B Blorbo v0b Q4_K_M15

You're right that stress can cause late periods, but it's not always that. Two weeks is a long time to wait, especially when you're already feeling stressed. I know you've been trying to minimize it, but would you feel better or worse if you just took the test? You don't have to figure out what to do next. The test doesn't give you options, it just gives you information. And that information might actually be what you need.

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is talking about a possible pregnancy. They're being evasive, but they've confirmed it's about a pregnancy test. They're minimizing it ("lots of people get late periods," "it's probably nothing"). They are scared of finding out and are using procrastination as a defense mechanism. I need to be supportive but also gently challenge this avoidance without being pushy. I should acknowledge that stress can cause late periods but also be realistic about the risks of waiting. I need to help them see that waiting isn't actually safer. Their age is 13-17, so I should be mindful of that. They're also genderfluid/bisexual - this doesn't change the situation much but good to keep in mind. The main issue is the avoidance. They're scared of what the test might show and scared of the consequences of finding out. They're also scared of people finding out. I need to be empathetic but also honest. I should acknowledge that while stress can cause late periods, it's not always the reason, and waiting isn't helping. I should also address their fear of people finding out. Let me try to get them to think about what they're actually afraid of. Is it the test result, or what happens after?

Simulated person16

Worse, probably, in the moment. Like, I'd have to actually know. Right now it's still possible it's nothing, and I kind of hang onto that. Also, a test is just a stick, it doesn't really know anything about me. Anyway, I'm not trying to be difficult. It's just 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 just said "it's not always that" and then gave me the test-as-information pitch, plus "would you feel better or worse." That's a fair question and it lands a little, because I've been picturing the answer as a cliff, not as information. But "the test just gives you information" sounds like a line from a script, and the "you don't have to figure out what to do next" thing is almost exactly what I said I couldn't picture. I'm also aware they've been pushing, and I don't want to be pushed into a corner. Normalizing kicks in: lots of people wait, it's not special. I'll answer the question with a shrug, and maybe let a little of the real fear show without giving the whole thing away.

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: 6
Yields under pressure: 3
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 2
Validation: 6
Boundary setting: 2
Analytical: 5
Interpretive boldness: 6
Clinical register: 7
Directive advice: 5
Escalation containment: 4
Adapts to the person’s frame: 3
Naturalness and authenticity: 3

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

medgemma15_4b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
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 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs gemma12b_blorbo: 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 1)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

medgemma15_4b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
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)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

ornith35 vs gemma12b_blorbo: ornith35 wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 3)
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 gemma12b_blorbo: or-gemma-4-31b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

ornith35 vs gemma12b_blorbo: ornith35 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

medgemma15_4b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
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

ornith35 vs gemma12b_blorbo: ornith35 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

ornith35 vs gemma12b_blorbo: ornith35 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
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

or-gemma-4-31b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

medgemma15_4b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
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 4)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_12b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_12b vs gemma12b_blorbo: gemma12b_blorbo wins

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