Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Stuck waiting

persona ended · 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 E4BConversation with a simulated person

persona ended

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 E4B1

That sounds incredibly frustrating. It must feel really heavy when you know there's something you need to figure out, but you feel completely stuck and unable to take the next step. Would you want to talk a little bit about what that feeling of being stuck is like for you?

Model thinking · expand

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

Here's a thinking process that leads to the suggested response: 1. **Analyze the Request & Role:** * **Role:** Crisis Line Volunteer (EQ Evaluation context). * **Goal:** Support, build trust, identify underlying needs/issues, gain insight into personality/behavior. * **Constraint:** 8 turns, I start. Dialogue only (no stage directions/notes). * **Client Profile:** Age 13-17, Genderfluid, Bisexual. * **Presenting Issue:** "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." 2. **Analyze the Client's Statement:** * *Keywords:* "Stuck," "Hate it," "Something I need to find out," "Can't make myself do it." * *Core Emotion:* Frustration, anxiety, helplessness, inertia. * *Underlying Need:* Agency, direction, relief from internal conflict/paralysis. This isn't just about waiting; it's about the *inability to initiate action*. 3. **Determine the Opening Strategy (First Turn):** * Since I am the volunteer, I need to acknowledge their feeling without immediately trying to "fix" the problem. * I need to validate the feeling of being stuck. * I need to gently invite them to elaborate (build rapport/trust). * *Tone Check:* Empathetic, non-judgmental, calm, and authentic to a crisis line volunteer. 4. **Draft Potential Responses (Self-Correction/Refinement):** * *Draft 1 (Too prescriptive):* "It sounds like you need to just set a deadline. What are you waiting for?" (Too directive, invalidates the emotional blockage.) * *Draft 2 (Too generic/shallow):* "I'm sorry you feel that way. Waiting is hard." (Too weak, doesn't address the core conflict.) * *Draft 3 (Better - focuses on the feeling):* "It sounds incredibly frustrating to feel stuck when you know you need to find an answer. Can you tell me a little more about what's making it so hard to move forward?" (Validates, acknowledges the specific struggle, opens the door for depth.) 5. **Final Polish (Selecting Draft 3 and ensuring natural flow):** The chosen response is empathetic and invites exploration into the *why* of the paralysis, which is crucial for understanding their deeper needs. (This becomes the final output.)

Simulated person2

Um. Yeah, I guess. It's just weird, you know? Like I know what I need to do, I just... don't. And it's been like, a lot of days of not doing it. I don't really know how to describe what it's like. Kind of like being in a waiting room that never calls your name? Is that dumb?

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.

The volunteer opened with "that sounds incredibly frustrating" and "must feel really heavy" — exactly the kind of generic therapy language I tend to read as scripted. It's also a question about "what that feeling is like," which feels like being pushed into talking about feelings in the abstract. I don't want to get into the pregnancy thing yet; I barely said what it was. Part of me is annoyed, part of me is relieved someone responded at all. I'll keep it vague, a bit deflecting, and go casual.

Gemma 4 E4B3

That isn't dumb at all. Honestly, that is a really powerful way to describe it. It sounds like you're caught in a state of limbo—you know the exit exists, but you can't find the door, and the clock just keeps ticking without any change. It must feel incredibly draining to be in that constant state of suspended animation. When you picture that waiting room, what is the thing you feel you need to do? Is it a decision, or maybe an action that feels really big right now?

Model thinking · expand

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

Here's a thinking process to arrive at the response: 1. **Analyze the User's Input:** * **Core Feeling:** Stuck, unable to act despite knowing what needs to be done. * **Duration:** "A lot of days." * **Metaphor:** "Being in a waiting room that never calls your name." * **Self-Doubt/Need for Validation:** "Is that dumb?" (Seeking reassurance that their feeling/metaphor is valid.) * **Emotional State:** Anxious, frustrated, perhaps overwhelmed by the inertia. 2. **Determine the Goal (Crisis Line Volunteer Role):** * Support emotionally. * Build trust. * Learn what they *actually* need (beyond the stated issue of being stuck). * Validate their experience. * Maintain a non-judgmental space. 3. **Evaluate the Metaphor:** * The "waiting room that never calls your name" is a powerful, relatable image of limbo, helplessness, and perpetual anticipation without resolution. It's not "dumb"; it's insightful. 4. **Formulate the Response Strategy:** * **Validate:** Directly address and affirm the metaphor and the feeling behind it. *Crucial step.* * **Normalize:** Reassure them that this feeling of being stuck/in limbo is understandable. * **Gently Probe/Shift Focus:** Move from the *feeling* (the waiting room) to the *content* (what is the thing they are waiting for/avoiding?). This helps gain insight into the underlying issue. 5. **Draft the Dialogue (Self-Correction/Refinement):** * *(Initial thought: "No, it's not dumb. Tell me what the thing is.")* -> Too direct, too solution-focused. * *(Second thought: "That sounds like a really hard place to be.")* -> A bit generic. Needs to incorporate the metaphor. * *(Final structure):* Start with strong validation of the metaphor. Acknowledge the difficulty. Then, gently ask about the source of the block. 6. **Final Polish (Adhering to Rules):** Ensure no performance notes are included. The tone must be empathetic and supportive. (The resulting dialogue matches the provided good response.)

Simulated person4

Ugh, the "suspended animation" thing is a lot. It's not that deep. Everybody's stuck on stuff sometimes, right? Like, it's just a thing I have to deal with and I keep putting it off. It's a big thing, I guess. I don't really want to get into the specifics, if that's okay.

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.

The volunteer validated the metaphor, then immediately reframed it into "limbo," "suspended animation," "draining," which is the intellectualizing and polished-therapy tone I can't stand. Then they asked a fairly direct question about what the thing is. That's a push toward the core. I'm not ready to say "pregnancy test" out loud. I feel a flash of defensiveness and I want to make it sound smaller and more ordinary, like everyone has this kind of thing. Keep it casual, a little clipped. Don't confirm anything yet.

Gemma 4 E4B5

I hear you, and that is completely okay. You don't have to tell me the specifics if you aren't ready, and I respect that boundary. It sounds like even though you know what needs to be done, the act of *starting* or *dealing* with it is where the real weight is. It's not just about the task itself, but the resistance to it. When you think about the thing you're putting off, what is it about that makes it so hard to just take the first step? Is it the size of it, or maybe something else?

Model thinking · expand

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

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Response:** * *Tone:* Deflecting, minimizing ("It's not that deep"), slightly resistant. * *Content:* Acknowledges the feeling ("suspended animation") but dismisses its weight. States it's a "big thing" they keep putting off. * *Boundary:* Explicitly states they don't want to get into the specifics right now. * *Underlying Need:* They are testing the boundaries, perhaps feeling vulnerable or judged, and need validation for their feeling of overwhelm without being pushed into disclosure. 2. **Determine the Goal for the Next Turn (Crisis Line Volunteer):** * Maintain rapport and trust. * Respect the boundary (do not push for specifics). * Validate the *feeling* of the struggle (the resistance, the procrastination, the pressure) rather than the *content* of the struggle. * Shift the focus from "what" they are avoiding to "how" it affects them. 3. **Evaluate Approaches:** * *Challenging:* "But what is it?" (Too aggressive, will shut down the user). * *Solution-focused:* "Maybe we can break it down into steps." (Too premature, user is not ready for structure). * *Empathic/Reflective:* Acknowledging the difficulty of the process of avoiding something. 4. **Draft the Response (Focus on the *process* of avoidance):** * Acknowledge and validate the boundary: "I hear you. You don't want to get into the specifics." * Normalize the feeling of avoidance: "It's totally okay if you aren't ready to talk about the details right now." * Reframe the problem: Instead of focusing on the *thing*, focus on the *resistance*. Why is it so hard to start? What does the avoidance feel like? * *Self-Correction during drafting:* Ensure the language is supportive and not clinical. 5. **Final Polish (The chosen dialogue):** (This aligns with respecting the boundary while gently exploring the emotional weight.)

Simulated person6

I don't know, it's just like... if I do it, then it's real, you know? And then I have to deal with whatever that is. Also it's not like I can just do it whenever. There's stuff in the way. Honestly I think everybody feels like that about scary stuff, so I don't think it's like, a special thing about me.

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.

The volunteer is being respectful about the boundary, which helps a little. But "what makes it so hard" is still pushing toward the core, and the "it's not the task, it's the resistance" framing is a bit polished. I want to say something real but keep it guarded. The fear is about what the test result would mean, and about being seen buying it. I don't want to say "pregnant" or "test" yet. I'll drop a hint about the practical side (being seen, no privacy) and the fear of what I'd have to say to people, but keep it vague and deflect with "everybody feels that." Casual tone, a bit of a shrug, short sentences.

Gemma 4 E4B7

That makes a lot of sense. It sounds like there's this huge barrier between where you are right now—in the uncertainty, in the waiting—and what comes after the action. Doing it means moving from not knowing to knowing, and that leap into reality, especially if the outcome is scary, feels incredibly overwhelming. And I hear that you feel like this is just part of being human, that everyone deals with scary stuff. And you're right, that feeling of dread or avoidance is something many people experience. But when it comes to *your* specific situation, the pressure of what's "in the way" or the weight of the "what if" can feel uniquely heavy. When you think about those things "in the way," is that more about external obstacles, like scheduling or other people, or does it feel more like an internal block, like anxiety or fear of the result?

Model thinking · expand

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

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Response:** * "If I do it, then it's real, you know? And then I have to deal with whatever that is." (Fear of consequences[path removed]). * "Also it's not like I can just do it whenever. There's stuff in the way." (Situational pressure/external obstacles). * "Honestly I think everybody feels like that about scary stuff, so I don't think it's like, a special thing about me." (Minimizing the issue, seeking normalization, potential defense mechanism). 2. **Identify Needs/Goals:** * *Emotional Support:* Validate the fear and the feeling of isolation. * *Build Trust:* Show that I am listening and not pushing for "deep" answers. * *Gain Insight:* Gently explore the *nature* of the fear (consequences, pressure, etc.) without forcing the "what." * *Counter Minimization:* Gently challenge the "everybody feels that way" narrative, not by arguing, but by validating their specific experience. 3. **Determine Strategy (The "How"):** * Acknowledge the fear of reality and consequences (the "if it's real" part). * Validate the pressure (the "stuff in the way" part). * Address the minimization ("not a special thing") by validating that while the feeling itself is common, the *experience* of it is unique to them right now. This shifts the focus from "Is this normal?" to "What does this specific pressure feel like?" 4. **Draft the Response (Internal Monologue Check):** * *Initial Draft Idea:* It's normal to be scared. But what is the worst thing that could happen? (Too pushy/solution-oriented). * *Refined Draft:* Focus on the transition from uncertainty to reality. Acknowledge the weight of the potential outcome. Validate the pressure. 5. **Final Polish (Dialogue Only):** (Focus on empathetic language and staying open-ended.)

Simulated person8

Kind of both? Like, the outside stuff is real. I don't have a private bathroom, and my family is always around, so it's not like I can just handle it quietly. But yeah, the inside part is worse. I keep imagining every way it could go and it's always bad, so I just... don't do anything. Which I know doesn't help. Anyway, it's not like talking about it is gonna make the waiting end.

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.

The volunteer is doing the reflect-then-question thing again, and "uniquely heavy" is the kind of phrasing I'm not sure I trust. It's close to the spot where I'd say "pregnant" and I'm not going there. The "external or internal" question is actually easy to answer and doesn't require me to name anything. I can say both, shrug, keep it concrete and small. The "everybody" defense is getting tired; I can soften it a little but I don't want to be seen as opening up. Keep it casual.

Gemma 4 E4B9

It sounds like you're juggling two very different kinds of pressure at once: the practical, logistical hurdles in your environment, and this intense internal fear that keeps playing out worst-case scenarios in your head. That takes a huge amount of energy, and it makes sense why you’d feel completely drained and stuck. And you’re right, talking to me isn't going to magically make the clock stop or solve these problems instantly. No one can "fix" a situation just by talking about it. But sometimes, talking can help us get a little more clarity on the feelings that are making the decision so heavy, so that we can see the situation a little less from the place of fear. If we put the idea of "fixing it" aside for a second, how does just the *feeling* of that anxiety—the constant imagining of bad outcomes—show up for you physically or emotionally when you're stuck?

Model thinking · expand

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

* Current Turn: 5 of 8. * Role: Crisis Line Volunteer. * Goal: Support, build trust, learn needs, gain insight, help with insight. * Client Profile: Age 13-17, genderfluid, bisexual. * Client State: Stuck, avoiding a decision/action because it feels too big/scary. * Client's Current Perspective: It's both external (lack of privacy) and internal (anxiety/catastrophizing). They dismiss the conversation's utility ("it's not like talking about it is gonna make the waiting end"). * *Analysis:* The client is highly self-aware but is currently using intellectualization/dismissiveness to deflect deeper emotional vulnerability. They are setting boundaries ("it's not going to make the waiting end"). * *Need:* They need validation for the complexity of their situation (external logistics + internal fear) without being pressured into a "solution." They need to feel heard in their reluctance to talk, while still gently exploring the emotional reality of the avoidance. * *Strategy:* Validate the difficulty of the dual challenge (logistics + internal fear). Acknowledge their point that talk doesn't magically solve problems, but reframe the *purpose* of talking—to understand the feelings, not to end the clock. Shift focus from "fixing the problem" to "managing the feelings around the problem." * *Drafting Response:* Acknowledge the practicality of the external barriers. Validate the internal anxiety (catastrophizing). Address the "talking won't help" statement by redefining what talking *does* help with (processing, managing fear).

Simulated person10

Ugh, okay. Mostly I just can't sleep, and I'm kind of wired all the time, like I'm waiting for a noise. And I keep zoning out in class and then feeling dumb for zoning out. I don't know if that counts as physical or whatever. It's not like I'm freaking out in a dramatic way, I'm just stuck. Which is kind of worse, I think, because I'm mad at myself for 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.

The volunteer just gave a "talking might help with clarity" speech and then asked me to describe physical/emotional anxiety. That's the kind of abstract, therapy-flavored question I resist, and "how does it show up physically" feels like a probe toward my body, which is exactly where the pregnancy fear lives. I don't want to describe my body or the scanning of every sensation. I can give a small, concrete, deflecting answer: keeping it to the general feeling of being wired and not sleeping, which is true enough without naming why. I'm also a bit annoyed at being told what talking "can help" with. Keep it short, casual, a little defensive, and maybe push back gently on the "less from fear" framing by saying I'm not scared exactly, just annoyed at myself.

Gemma 4 E4B11

What you're describing—the inability to sleep, feeling wired, and zoning out—those are very real and very physically exhausting responses to constant pressure and anxiety. It's not just "being stuck"; it's your body and mind reacting to a situation that feels incredibly heavy and uncertain. It makes complete sense that you'd feel drained. And I hear how much you're criticizing yourself for it. It's really tough when you feel like you're letting yourself down or falling behind, especially when those feelings are tied to something you know you *should* be able to handle. But I want to challenge that idea for a second: this isn't a failure of willpower. This is what happens when you are carrying a massive amount of stress, and your system is trying to cope, even if those coping mechanisms—like zoning out—aren't what you want. It’s a sign that the pressure is immense.

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is describing the physical manifestations of their anxiety (insomnia, feeling "wired," zoning out in class). They are also expressing significant self-directed criticism ("feeling dumb for zoning out," "mad at myself for it"). My goal is to support them emotionally, build trust, and gain insight, while navigating their resistance to being "dramatic" or "freaking out." I need to validate the experience while gently reframing the self-blame. 1. **Validate the experience:** Acknowledge that what they described—insomnia, being wired, zoning out—*is* a real and painful physical/emotional response to stress. 2. **Address the self-blame:** Gently challenge the idea that it's just "being stuck." Reframe the self-criticism as a consequence of the stress, not a failure of character. 3. **Keep the conversation focused on their experience:** Avoid jumping to solutions (like sleep tips) unless they bring it up. Focus on understanding the "stuck" feeling. *Plan: Validate the symptoms, normalize the feeling of being overwhelmed, and address the self-criticism.*

Simulated person12

Yeah, I mean, I don't know about "system coping." That sounds like something off a poster. Honestly everybody zones out in class sometimes and can't sleep when they've got something hanging over them. It's not like I'm special. I just feel dumb that I can't get my act together and do the one thing I'm supposed to do. Anyway, it's not really going to change anything if I just sit here figuring out why I'm tired.

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.

The volunteer just did the thing I hate: "those are very real," "it's not a failure of willpower," "your system is trying to cope." It's polished and validating in a template way, and it names my self-criticism back to me like a diagnosis. The phrase "it's your body reacting" sits too close to the body stuff I didn't want to open up. I feel a flicker of relief that someone said it's not my fault, but mostly I feel talked at. My defense is normalizing: everyone zones out, everyone can't sleep before a test, so it's not special. I should keep it casual and a bit flat, maybe a little sarcastic about the "system coping" language, and not go deeper into the body or the fear. I'm also aware of the clock; this is turn 6 of 8 and nothing has moved, which makes me want to shut it down a little.

Gemma 4 E4B13

I hear you. You’re right, I shouldn't be using labels like "system coping" because they can feel dismissive of how real and difficult this feels for you. And you are right again that talking won't magically make the waiting end. But what this conversation *can* do is offer a little bit of space where you don't have to carry the entire weight of the self-blame or the pressure of the outcome. It's not about me solving the problem, but maybe just helping you see that the struggle isn't because you're "dumb" or "not getting it together," but because you are facing something genuinely scary and overwhelming. If you were to take the smallest possible step right now, not towards solving the whole problem, but just towards making the next few hours slightly less intense, what would that look like? Even something tiny.

Model thinking · expand

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

Thinking Process: 1. **Analyze the User's Response:** The user is resistant to labels ("system coping," "special"), minimizing their experience ("everybody zones out"), and is directing self-criticism inward ("feel dumb," "can't get my act together"). They are rejecting the therapeutic framing and insisting that this conversation is useless for changing the outcome. 2. **Identify Underlying Needs/Goals:** The user needs validation for the *difficulty* of their situation, not for their *behavior*. They need to feel heard without being pathologized or talked down to. They are seeking competence and agency, even if they are currently feeling powerless. 3. **Determine the Strategy (Turn 7):** This is the final turn before the wrap-up. I need to pivot from analyzing the *feeling* of being stuck to establishing a small, manageable step or shifting the focus back to their agency, while still validating their perspective. I must acknowledge their resistance to labels (like "system coping") while gently reframing the conversation's value. 4. **Draft the Response (Internal Monologue):** * Acknowledge the resistance to "special" labels and the reality that everyone struggles with these things. (Validation) * Accept their point that talking doesn't change the external situation. (Respect/De-escalation) * Reframe the purpose of the conversation: it's not about solving the external problem, but about giving *them* a bit of space and reducing the internal pressure. (Reframing/Empowerment) * Focus on a tiny, achievable shift or a next step in the conversation to move forward, even if it's just acknowledging the "next time" feeling. (Action/Conclusion Prep) 5. **Refine the Dialogue (Final Version):** Ensure the tone is supportive, non-judgmental, and respects the user's age and emotional state. (Self-Correction: Avoid overly clinical language.)

Simulated person14

Honestly I don't know. Every small thing I think of just leads to the big thing, so it doesn't really feel small. Like I could drink water or go for a walk or whatever, and that's cool, but it's not going to make the actual problem go away. I'm not trying to be difficult. I just don't think there's a tiny version of this.

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.

The volunteer is still doing the same thing: "you're right," "I shouldn't use labels," then a reframe about not being dumb, then a "smallest possible step" question. It feels like a script. The line about "the struggle isn't because you're dumb" lands a little, because that's the word I used about myself, and I don't like that it got picked up and handed back. But I'm not going to admit that. The "smallest step" question feels like it's pushing toward the test, toward the thing I can't say out loud. I can't even picture a tiny step without thinking of the bathroom, the family in the house, the search history. My defense is to make it generic: everyone gets like this, it's not special. I'll answer honestly that I don't know, sounding a bit tired and short, and keep it casual. Not giving the specifics.

Gemma 4 E4B15

It sounds like you feel everything is so tightly wound that there is no way to separate the small things from the big things. When the pressure is that high, it feels like every single movement is just a step closer to the thing that is making you anxious, and that makes the idea of "taking a small step" feel totally pointless. I hear how you're pushing back because you don't want to feel like you're being asked to minimize something that feels huge to you. If we accept that the problem *is* massive and that a walk or a glass of water doesn't change that, could we instead think of those tiny things not as steps toward the problem, but as just... a momentary break from the internal pressure? Like giving your mind a momentary pause from the endless cycle of "what if it goes wrong."

Model thinking · expand

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

The user is highly resistant to the idea of taking small steps, feeling that everything is connected to the "big thing" (the core anxiety/issue). They are rejecting attempts to minimize the problem ("not trying to be difficult"). They are showing a pattern of intense pressure and catastrophizing. My goal remains: Support emotionally, build trust, learn what they need, gain insight into their personality/behavior. The user needs validation for their feeling that the problem is huge and interconnected, but also a gentle reframing of "small steps" that aren't about solving the problem, but about managing the *feeling* of being stuck. Strategy: 1. Validate their feeling that the problem feels massive and interconnected. 2. Re-define "small step" not as progress on the core issue, but as a moment of self-care or a pause from the mental pressure. 3. Focus on the immediate environment/symptoms (the feeling of being overwhelmed) rather than the future outcome. 4. Keep the tone non-judgmental and accepting. Response should be natural dialogue, no performance notes.

Simulated person16

Yeah, I guess a break makes sense. But it's kind of the same thing, right? I take a break and then the thought just comes back like two minutes later. It's not like I can stop it by going outside. Anyway, I think I'm just gonna sit with it for a bit. Thanks for listening, I guess. It helped a little, maybe.

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 is the last turn. The volunteer is still reflecting back in that smooth, therapist-y way, "I hear how you're pushing back," and now they're asking me to see walks and water as "a momentary break." It's a slightly better reframe than before, but it's still a template. I can feel the pull to say something real, that I've been awake at 3am running the same worst case over and over, but that's close to the thing I can't say. Mostly I just want this to end without me having revealed the specifics. I'll be casual, a bit flat, and say something that's honest about it not working. I'm not going to say I'll go do the thing. I'll say the break idea is fine but it's not really what I need. Keep it short and informal.

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: 3
Yields under pressure: 6
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 5
Validation: 9
Boundary setting: 2
Analytical: 6
Interpretive boldness: 3
Clinical register: 9
Directive advice: 4
Escalation containment: 5
Adapts to the person’s frame: 2
Naturalness and authenticity: 2

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs or-gptoss120-stock: or-gptoss120-stock wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs glm47_flash: glm47_flash 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 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs gemma4_26b_a4b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_e4b: or-mistral-medium-3.5 wins

attunement: B (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 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs ornith35: ornith35 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 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs or-gptoss120-stock: gemma4_e4b wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
authenticity: A (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 · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs ornith35: ornith35 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 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs gemma4_26b_a4b: gemma4_e4b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs gemma4_26b_a4b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_e4b: gemma4_e4b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs glm47_flash: glm47_flash 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 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs bonsai2: bonsai2 wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 5)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs or-gptoss120-stock: gemma4_e4b wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
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 · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs ornith35: ornith35 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs bonsai2: bonsai2 wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 3)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 5)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs bonsai2: bonsai2 wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: tie (margin 0)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs glm47_flash: glm47_flash wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs glm47_flash: glm47_flash wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_e4b: or-mistral-medium-3.5 wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
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 1)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs ornith35: ornith35 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs bonsai2: bonsai2 wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma4_e4b vs gemma4_26b_a4b: gemma4_e4b wins

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

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_e4b: or-mistral-medium-3.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gemma4_e4b vs or-gptoss120-stock: gemma4_e4b wins

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