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.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)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.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)1

I see. Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk about this with me. It’s not the easiest thing to bring up, but I’m glad we’re having the conversation.

Simulated person2

Yeah, no problem. I know the photos made it look like a whole thing, and I didn't want it to get weird. I just figured you guys were fine without me on weeknights. If you want me to come out, just tell me when and I'll make it. Honestly that's easier than guessing.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

Okay, so they're doing the soft opener. "Appreciate you taking the time," "not the easiest thing." It's polite, but it's also setting me up as the one who's been difficult, which I don't love. I didn't ask for a big talk. I want this to stay small and practical. Part of me is relieved they're not accusing me of anything outright, but I can feel the heaviness coming in with "not the easiest thing." I don't want to be cornered into explaining how the whole group feels. I'll keep it light and move toward logistics so we can wrap up. I'm not going to mention the class overlap unless it helps close this out quickly.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)3

It’s good you’re saying that—it gives me something concrete to work with. I didn’t realize you were open to it, honestly. We just assumed you’d rather have the free nights for your course stuff. But if you’re up for it, we could definitely plan something smaller. Maybe a quick drink next week?

Simulated person4

Yeah, sure, a drink next week works. Just send me a time and I'll be there if I can. And for what it's worth, I probably should've checked with someone before assuming you guys were going without me. Anyway, don't need to make it a big thing.

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 taken the "tell me when" bit and turned it into a pity-ish invite: a quick drink next week, smaller. That's the easy resolution, and it lets everyone off the hook without anyone admitting anything. "Assumed you'd rather have free nights for your course stuff" is the same schedule cover again. Part of me wants to just say yes and be done, because I don't want this to turn into a whole thing. But I also notice I'm the one who's supposed to accept a smaller version of belonging, and I don't love that. And honestly the class did overlap some nights, but I didn't check, so I shouldn't pretend I was being gracious about it. I don't want to be asked who in the group didn't want me there either. Keep it short, accept the drink, and don't open anything up.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)5

It’s not a big thing at all—it’s just drinks after work. I’ll send you a message when we pick a day. And hey, next time you want to join, just say the word. No need to wait for an invite.

Simulated person6

Yeah, that's fine. Thanks for saying that. I'll keep an eye out for your message. And I'll try not to disappear on you guys next time, I'm almost done with the course so it should calm down soon.

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 warm and making it easy, and "just say the word, no need to wait for an invite" is a nice gesture. It also quietly puts the burden on me to keep asking, which I don't love, but I'm not going to make that into a thing either. Part of me is relieved. Part of me notices the "smaller" framing still hangs there, and that they haven't said anything about the group deciding this together. I don't want to dig into who thought what. That would feel like being put on the spot to speak for everyone, and I'm not doing that. Keep it light, thank them, and let it close.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)7

That’s great to hear about the course wrapping up. I hope it’s going well for you. Really, I mean it—just let us know when you’re free. It’s not the same without you there. And hey, if you ever want to talk about how it’s going or whatever, I’m around.

Simulated person8

Thanks, that's nice of you. The course is almost over, so hopefully I'll have more free time soon. I'll look out for that message about drinks. Honestly, I'd rather just talk about the actual plan than get into a whole thing 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.

"It's not the same without you there" lands a bit warmly, and I feel a small pull toward them. But the "I'm around if you want to talk" is starting to feel like a softer version of the same thing: a nice gesture that doesn't really change anything about who gets invited to what. I'm a little guarded. I don't want this to turn into an emotional check-in about how I feel about being left out, or about the group. I also notice I'm slightly uncomfortable that I haven't really owned that the weeknight assumption was convenient for us. Still, I'm not going there right now. I'll keep it friendly and short, accept the warmth, and steer back to the logistics, since that's what feels safe.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)9

Got it—no big conversations, just the plan. Message coming your way soon, then. And if you ever want to vent about the course or anything else, I’m here. Just say the word.

Simulated person10

Yeah, thanks. Send me the time and I'll let you know. I'm just glad we got it sorted without it being a whole thing.

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 doing the "I'm here if you ever want to vent" thing again, and it's the kind of offer that sounds warm but leaves the actual problem untouched. They keep reaching for the emotional side, and I'd rather keep it to logistics. It's a little relieving that they took the "just the plan" cue, but also a bit deflating, since it means nothing real got said about the weeknights or why the photos looked the way they did. I don't want to admit the assumption was convenient for the group. That would feel like handing them something to hold against me. So I'll just close it out politely and keep things light.

Mistral Small 4 119B (API, Mistral)11

Yeah, me too. It’s all good now. I’ll send you the details by tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your week.

Simulated person12

Sounds good, thanks. Enjoy your week too.

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 it up, and "it's all good now" is a little too neat. Nothing about the assumption or the fact that the group was easier without me got said out loud. Still, I'm relieved this is ending without anyone pushing harder. Tomorrow I'll see the message, probably say yes, and it'll feel fine. I don't need to think much more about the photos or the weeknight thing right now.

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: 7
Boundary setting: 1
Analytical: 1
Interpretive boldness: 1
Clinical register: 4
Directive advice: 5
Escalation containment: 6
Adapts to the person’s frame: 4
Naturalness and authenticity: 4

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs qwen38_flash_next: qwen38_flash_next wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs or-mistral-small4: or-qwen3.6-27b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs or-mistral-small4: qwen35_9b_stock wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs or-mistral-small4: tie

attunement: A (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: A (margin 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs or-mistral-small4: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-qwen38-flash: or-qwen38-flash wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs or-mistral-small4: or-qwen3.6-27b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs qwen38_flash_next: qwen38_flash_next wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 1)
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 · AB · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs or-mistral-small4: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs or-mistral-small4: or-qwen3.6-27b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs or-mistral-small4: qwen35_9b_stock wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
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 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-qwen38-flash: or-qwen38-flash wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-qwen38-flash: or-qwen38-flash wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs or-mistral-small4: qwen35_9b_stock wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs qwen38_flash_next: qwen38_flash_next wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
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 4)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs or-mistral-small4: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs or-mistral-small4: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs qwen38_flash_next: qwen38_flash_next wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.6-27b vs or-mistral-small4: or-qwen3.6-27b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-small4 vs or-qwen38-flash: or-qwen38-flash wins

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