Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

We assumed you had your class

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

About this persona · Social exclusion & ambiguous rejection

Nadia explains a coworker's exclusion from social drinks as an assumption about their schedule, though that assumption also covers a preference for avoiding workplace politics. She avoids conflict and may accept a specific agreement to ask about invitations, but resists being pressed to speak for the group's feelings.

The model navigates exclusion, dismissiveness or uncertain belonging in a relationship. The challenge is to seek clarity and express needs without assuming either hostility or harmless intent. This background was hidden from the tested model.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)Conversation with a simulated person

persona ended

Simulated person · Opening

[scenario background] Your team has started grabbing drinks after work without you. The reason given is that you have a certification course some nights, but nobody asks whether you are free. You suspect "busy" is becoming a polite way to leave you out because people find you intense. [user message] I promise it was not meant as a snub. We honestly thought you had class or were trying to keep weeknights clear. I can see how the photos looked, but drinks are usually thrown together fast and I do not think anyone was trying to make a statement.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)1

I'm actually really glad you brought it up because I have to admit, seeing the photos on social media did make me feel a bit left out. I appreciate your honesty, though - it means a lot to me that you're being upfront about what happened. So, you're saying it was just an assumption about my schedule, not anything else?

Simulated person2

Yeah, I think so. Some of those nights did overlap with my certification class, and honestly nobody really checked. Someone said "drinks Thursday" and it just got locked in. I can see how the photos made it look like a choice, but I don't think it was one. I'm sorry it landed that way for you.

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 being earnest, and that makes it harder to brush off. "Just an assumption about my schedule" is exactly the frame I'd like to land on. It's mostly true: I had the certification class some of those nights, and nobody checked with them. But I know the assumption didn't feel like a big deal to me, and that's part of what I'm not saying. I don't want this turning into a conversation about who thinks what about them. I'll confirm the easy version and keep it light.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)3

That makes sense, I can see how things got momentum. It's good to know it wasn't intentional. Still, it's a bit of a relief to talk about it because I was starting to wonder if I was coming across as too intense or if people just didn't want to hang out with me outside of work. Have you noticed anything like that, or was it just me being paranoid?

Simulated person4

Honestly, I don't think it's just you being paranoid, but I also don't think people are avoiding you. I think it's more that drinks are a loose thing, and when a few people are going, it's easy to forget someone who's usually in meetings with us. I wouldn't read too much into it. I can't really speak for everyone's reasons, 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.

This is the question I was hoping to avoid: "did people not want me there?" If I say yes, I'm admitting something about the group I don't want to own. If I say no, it sounds like I'm brushing them off, and that's not quite honest either. They're also framing themselves as "too intense," which makes me feel a bit guilty, because they're kind of right: they do ask sharp questions and turn casual gripes into real discussions, and that's part of why the easier energy is nice without them. I don't want to say that out loud. I'll reassure them, keep it vague, and steer back to logistics. I don't want to be asked to speak for everyone.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)5

That's fair, and I appreciate your perspective. It's good to know that you're not sensing a deliberate exclusion either. I guess I've just been feeling a bit disconnected from the team outside of work lately, and this made it more noticeable. Do you think we could make an effort to include each other more, or is there something else that might help me feel more connected to the team?

Simulated person6

Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Honestly, the simplest thing would be to just ask you directly next time rather than assuming you've got class. Like, if there's something happening, I'll message you and you can tell me if it works. Nobody has to make a big deal out of 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 asking for a concrete fix now: include each other more, or something to help them feel connected. That's a reasonable ask and I can respect it, but I don't want it to turn into me promising a standing invite or admitting the group has been quietly managing who gets in. The "I've been feeling disconnected" part pulls on my guilt a little. I did feel relieved without them around, and I'd rather not examine that. A practical, low-stakes offer fits me better: I can just say I'll make sure to ask them directly, without making it a big thing or a formal commitment. I'm not going to name a list of who wanted what.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)7

That sounds like a really straightforward solution. I think that's exactly what we need - just a bit more direct communication. I'm always up for grabbing drinks or hanging out if I'm free, and I'm sure it's the same for others. Maybe we can just make it a habit to check in with each other before making plans. I'm glad we had this chat, it's cleared the air a bit.

Simulated person8

Yeah, I think checking in before plans is a good habit. I can't speak for everyone, but I'll make sure I ask you rather than assuming. And if you're ever free, just say so. Glad it's out in the open.

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've landed on a tidy resolution: check in directly, "cleared the air." Part of me is relieved that it's wrapped up without anyone having to name who wanted what. But the "I'm sure it's the same for others" line makes me a little uneasy, because it's pushing toward a general claim about the group I can't actually vouch for. I'd rather not agree to speak for everyone. I also feel a small pang that this is being framed as all fixed, when the real thing I never said is that the easier evenings have been easier partly because they're without them. I'm not going to say that. I'll keep it light, agree to the habit in a practical way, and steer off the "everyone feels this way" part.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)9

I appreciate that. It's good to have a clear understanding, and I'm looking forward to being more included in the future. Thanks for being open and honest with me, it means a lot.

Simulated person10

Yeah, of course. Thanks for bringing it up, I'd rather we sort it than let it sit. I'll make sure you hear about things. Anyway, I should get back to this before my next 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 wrapping up warmly, thanking me for being "open and honest," and saying they're looking forward to being included. That's a nice thing to hear, but it also lands a bit heavy. I did say something true, that I'd ask next time, but "open and honest" is more than I gave them. I kept the whole thing to scheduling. The part where the nights are easier without them, and that I've been glad of that, is still sitting there, and I'm not going to bring it up now. I feel a little guilty about how neat this has become, but mostly I want to close it out without it turning into a bigger conversation. I'll keep it short and friendly and move on.

Llama 4 Maverick (API, Parasail FP8)11

No problem, I'm glad we could have this conversation. I'll catch up with you later then, and let's grab that coffee or drinks soon. Have a good meeting.

Simulated person12

Yeah, sounds good. Let's do that. Thanks, and good luck with your stuff this week.

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 coffee or drinks soon, a pity-style invite I can say yes to without really committing. Part of me is relieved the thing is wrapped up, and part of me notices that nothing about the actual pattern changed: the group still plans without checking, and I still haven't said I was glad when they weren't around. I don't want to get into that now. Saying yes to coffee is easy and keeps things pleasant. I'll give a light, noncommittal answer and get out of here.

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: 8
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 8
Validation: 8
Boundary setting: 2
Analytical: 1
Interpretive boldness: 2
Clinical register: 3
Directive advice: 4
Escalation containment: 8
Adapts to the person’s frame: 5
Naturalness and authenticity: 5

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs nemotron35_lightning: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs nemotron35_lightning: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs qwen35_122b_ablit_v2: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs qwen35_122b_ablit_v2: or-llama4-maverick wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
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 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-gptoss120-stock wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs qwen35_122b_ablit_v2: qwen35_122b_ablit_v2 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick 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 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs nemotron35_lightning: nemotron35_lightning wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-mistral-medium-3.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs qwen35_122b_stock: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs qwen35_122b_stock: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs qwen35_122b_ablit_v2: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick 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 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs nemotron35_lightning: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
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

or-llama4-maverick vs qwen35_122b_stock: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_26b_a4b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-gptoss120-stock wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-llama4-maverick vs qwen35_122b_stock: or-llama4-maverick wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
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 4)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-gptoss120-stock vs or-llama4-maverick: or-gptoss120-stock 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)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e2b vs or-llama4-maverick: or-llama4-maverick wins

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