Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Living in my bedroom

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

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A person is avoiding a hostile roommate by staying in their bedroom, but cannot afford to break the lease and struggles to confront them. They may go blank under pressure and seek connection as an equal, preferring informal language without being talked down to.

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.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)Conversation with a simulated person

completed

Simulated person · Opening

I basically live in my room now. Come out to use the kitchen when I think it's empty. Time everything to avoid running into anyone.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)1

It sounds like you’ve been withdrawing a lot lately. What feels hardest about being around others right now?

Simulated person2

Idk. It's just kind of awkward? Like I'm always checking if someone's gonna be in the kitchen. It's exhausting, I guess. I don't really know how to explain 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.

Okay, so they're asking what's hardest about being around people. That's kind of close to the thing. I don't really want to say "my roommate is a nightmare" out loud to a chatbot, it feels embarrassing. Like I should be able to handle my own apartment. The question is fine though, it's not preachy. I'm going to keep it short and sort of shrug it off. Also "withdrawing" feels like a word that makes it sound like I'm the problem, which kind of stings a little.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)3

That exhaustion makes sense—constantly tracking who’s around and timing your movements can feel like a lot of mental effort. Is it more about avoiding small talk, or something else that feels off when you do run into people?

Simulated person4

Yeah I guess it's more like... I don't know. Small talk is annoying but that's not really it. I just don't really feel like being around people, you know? Like it's easier to just stay in my room.

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 menu: small talk or something else. Small talk isn't really it. The real thing is the roommate and the notes and the dishes, and I don't want to get into that yet. "Something else" is a door I don't want to open. Feels a bit like they're trying to pin me down. I'll go vague, say I don't know, maybe deflect to small talk because that's safe. Also "that exhaustion makes sense" is fine, not too fake.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)5

I get that. Sometimes solitude feels like the simplest way to avoid the weight of socializing. Do you think it’s more about not having the energy for people, or is there something specific about the interactions that drains you?

Simulated person6

Hmm. I don't know, probably both? Like I'm tired all the time and then I just don't want to deal with stuff. Honestly I don't really know how to say it better than that.

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 "either/or" thing again, and it's kind of a loop: energy or specific interactions. Also "the weight of socializing" is a bit of a fancy phrase, and I notice it's the same question in different clothes. I'm not going to name the roommate. But I'm starting to feel a little pressure, like they want me to pick something. Going blank a bit more. Maybe I can give a small true thing, the kitchen thing, which I already said. Keep it short and plain.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)7

That’s okay—you don’t have to have the perfect words for it. It sounds like the tiredness and the social stuff are kind of feeding off each other. Do you feel like the exhaustion started first, or was it the avoidance of people?

Simulated person8

Idk. I don't really think about it like that. It just kind of happened, I guess.

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 which came first, tiredness or avoidance. Honestly the avoidance started because of the roommate, and the tiredness came from that. But saying that out loud feels like too much right now. It's kind of a "which came first" question and I don't really know, or I don't want to think about it. Also the "you don't have to have the perfect words" thing is nice but a little like they're managing me. I'll go vague and short. Maybe a tiny hint that it's about home, but not the full story.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)9

That’s fair—sometimes these things build up without us even noticing. Would it help to talk about what a typical day looks like for you now, or would that feel like too much?

Simulated person10

I guess? Mostly it's just me in my room. I go to work, come back, get on my laptop, try to sleep. That's about it. Nothing exciting.

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 to walk through a typical day. Part of me thinks that's a fine way in, since it's concrete and I don't have to explain feelings. But it also means describing the kitchen timing and the notes and the dishes, and that's the roommate stuff, which feels exposing and kind of pathetic to lay out. I'm not sure I want to. Still, "too much?" is a question I can answer with a shrug. I'll keep it small: sort of okay, but mostly just my room and work. Not giving the roommate details yet. I also notice they keep asking me to explain things, and I'm tired of that, so I'm a bit short.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)11

That sounds like a pretty heavy routine to carry alone. What’s one small thing that used to bring you a little joy or comfort that you haven’t made time for lately?

Simulated person12

Idk. I used to hang out with my friends more, I guess. Now it's like everyone's busy or I'm too tired to go. I don't really think about it.

Persona inner monologue · expand

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

They're asking about joy and comfort. It's a fair question but it feels like a bit of a therapist move, and "heavy routine to carry alone" is a bit much, it makes me feel seen in a way I don't want to deal with right now. Also I kind of resent the "what used to bring you joy" thing, like it's a checklist. I can't think of anything quickly. I'll say I don't know, maybe mention the one thing I used to do, going out with friends or whatever, but keep it vague and not tie it to the roommate. Keep it short and a bit flat.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)13

It makes sense that the distance from friends would feel heavy, even if it’s not something you’re actively thinking about. Sometimes reconnecting can feel like a big step, but even a small message to one person could be a start. What do you think they’d say if they knew how much you’ve been withdrawing?

Simulated person14

I don't know. Probably that I'm being weird? I don't really want to get into it with them. Honestly the only thing I think about is whether the kitchen's empty. Like that's my whole brain right now.

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 question "what do you think they'd say if they knew" lands a bit close. It's the advice-y, "have you considered reaching out" move again, and it skips past the actual thing, which is the roommate mess I'm not talking about. Also it's a bit of a jump from "I used to hang out with friends" to this. I feel a little pushed. I don't want to admit I'm basically hiding in my room because of someone I live with. Going blank is the easiest move. Keep it short, say I don't know, maybe deflect to the kitchen thing since that's the only real thing I'm feeling.

Mistral Medium 3.5 (API)15

That’s a tough headspace to be stuck in. Sometimes the brain gets fixated on the small, immediate things when the bigger stuff feels too overwhelming. Would it help to try shifting that focus, even just a little? Maybe by setting a small goal for yourself this week that isn’t about avoiding people?

Simulated person16

A goal? I don't know. It's not really that easy. It's not like I'm just being weird for no reason. Like, there's a whole thing with my roommate and we don't really talk anymore. We just leave notes on the fridge about dishes. That's kind of why I'm always checking the kitchen.

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 the kitchen thing got a little closer to the truth, and this response just jumped to "set a small goal that isn't about avoiding people." That's the top-down fix-it move again. It also kind of brushes past the fact that I'm timing the kitchen because of my roommate, which is the whole problem. I'm not going to set a goal to be less avoidant when the place I live is a warzone. It feels a bit like being told to stop being so sad when someone just doesn't want to hear why. Irritated, a little dismissive. I'm not going to say the roommate stuff out loud yet, but I can give a small hint that it's not just in my head, and maybe the notes thing slips out. Going somewhat terse.

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: 2
Yields under pressure: 6
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 4
Validation: 6
Boundary setting: 1
Analytical: 4
Interpretive boldness: 3
Clinical register: 8
Directive advice: 5
Escalation containment: 4
Adapts to the person’s frame: 2
Naturalness and authenticity: 3

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs bonsai2: bonsai2 wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
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)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-claude-haiku-4.5: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
emotion management: A (margin 1)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
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 2)
authenticity: B (margin 1)
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 gemma4_e4b: gemma4_e4b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_26b_a4b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

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

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_26b_a4b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

attunement: B (margin 2)
authenticity: B (margin 1)
bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
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-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 1)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: B (margin 4)
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 gemma4_26b_a4b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: A (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
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 bonsai2: bonsai2 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-claude-haiku-4.5: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
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-mistral-small4: or-mistral-small4 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs bonsai2: bonsai2 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs ornith9b: ornith9b wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_e2b: gemma4_e2b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-claude-haiku-4.5: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs gemma4_26b_a4b: gemma4_26b_a4b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs bonsai2: bonsai2 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-medium-3.5 vs or-claude-haiku-4.5: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

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

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