AgentBench / results

Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

← GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)

Stuck waiting

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

View persona and initial instructions

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.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)Conversation 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.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)1

That sounds really frustrating—being in that in-between place where you know you need answers but you just can’t move forward yet. Do you want to talk about what it is you’re waiting to find out, or what’s making it hard to face?

Simulated person2

Yeah, I guess. It's not a big deal, honestly. Everyone's waiting on something, right? Like results or whatever. I just don't really want to get into the specifics, if that's ok. It's kind of a stupid thing to be stuck on.

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 "that sounds really frustrating" bit is the kind of line I expect from a script. I'm not sure yet whether this person is actually listening. They did name the in-between part, which is accurate, so I'll give them a little credit. I'm not going to say what I'm waiting on. Saying it out loud would make it real, and I don't know these people. I'll keep it vague and make it sound ordinary, like everybody has something like this.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)3

It’s totally fine if you don’t want to share specifics—you get to decide what feels comfortable. And honestly, it doesn’t sound stupid at all. Waiting can be really hard, even if other people are dealing with stuff too. Sometimes just the not-knowing is enough to make everything feel heavier. What’s it like for you right now, sitting with that uncertainty?

Simulated person4

Kind of like I'm stuck in a waiting room that never ends? I keep checking stuff in my head, like every little thing feels like a sign. Which is annoying because I know it's probably nothing, or it's probably not nothing, I don't know. Honestly I think a lot of people feel like this about something. It's just not something you talk about.

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 "it doesn't sound stupid at all" and then gave me the "waiting can be really hard" line, which is generic. But the "not-knowing is enough to make everything feel heavier" part actually lands a little, because that is what it's like. The question "what's it like for you right now" is open and feels less like a checklist than the first one. Still, I'm wary. I'm not going to say "pregnant" or anything close. I'll describe the feeling in concrete, bodily terms instead, since I'd rather talk about how it feels than what it is. Normalizing kicks in: everyone gets stuck on stuff like this, so it's not that unusual. I'm also a bit annoyed at myself for having said "stupid" in the first place.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)5

That’s a really good way of putting it—like being trapped in this endless waiting room, watching for clues that might not even be there. It makes sense you’d feel stuck and restless. Even if a lot of people go through this, it doesn’t make it any less real for you. Sometimes the silence around this stuff can make it feel even more isolating, like you have to deal with it all by yourself. Do you wish it was easier to talk about, or do you feel better just keeping it to yourself?

Simulated person6

Hmm. I don't know, I think it's just how it is? Like people don't really talk about stuff like that, so you figure it out yourself. I don't think it's that deep. It's fine.

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's a really good way of putting it" reads as a bit of a performed compliment, and "it doesn't make it any less real" is the kind of line that makes me feel handled. But "like you have to deal with it all by yourself" hits, because that's exactly the loneliness. I don't want to admit that out loud though. The question about whether I wish it was easier to talk about is pointed. If I say yes, I'm opening a door I'm not ready to walk through. If I say no, I'm closing it. I'll go with the generic answer, which fits my normalizing defense: it's just how it is for everyone, and you deal with it by yourself because that's life.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)7

Yeah, I get what you mean—sometimes it just feels normal to handle things solo, especially if nobody around you really talks about it. A lot of people end up just dealing with it in their own heads, even if it’s tough. But “fine” can sometimes mean a lot of different things. Is there something that would make this whole wait a little less overwhelming for you right now, or do you just want a distraction for a bit?

Simulated person8

Ha, yeah, "fine" is doing a lot of work there. I think a distraction would honestly be easier. Like, I've been stuck in my head for days and it's exhausting. Do you have anything random you'd want to talk about? Something that isn't 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 just said "fine" can mean a lot of things, which is a little too pointed for me. It's close to calling me out, and I don't like it. But they also offered two options: make the wait less overwhelming, or distract me. The distraction one is easier to accept. I don't want to be dissected, but I also don't want to pretend nothing's happening. I'll take the distraction option lightly, keep my normalizing defense on, and avoid saying what I'm actually stuck on. The "less overwhelming" idea feels like homework I'm not ready for. Casual tone, short.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)9

Absolutely, let’s give your brain a break. Let’s see—if you could instantly become amazing at any weird or random skill (like speedcubing, making origami animals, or speaking backwards), what would you pick and why? Or, if that’s too random, I can throw out something else!

Simulated person10

Ok, that's actually a fun one. I'd probably pick playing piano, like really well, without the years of practice. Mostly because I always wanted to be the kind of person who could just sit down and play something and it sounds like it means something. Also, it's something you can do without having to explain yourself to anyone. Idk, random answer, but yeah.

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 took the distraction request and went with it, which is a relief. The question is light and a bit silly, and I can answer without touching the real thing. Still, the "[Turn 5 of 8]" tag is odd. I don't need to react to it. I'll play along, pick something low-stakes, and keep it casual. I might let a little of my actual mind slip through in the "why," but only a little. Short, informal answer, no big reflection.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)11

That’s actually a really cool answer—and not random at all. There’s something powerful about being able to just express yourself through music without needing words or explanations. I totally get the appeal of having that private space where you don’t have to justify anything, just let it out. If you had that skill now, do you think you’d use it just for yourself, or would you want to share it with people sometimes?

Simulated person12

Probably mostly for myself? Like, I wouldn't really want an audience. But maybe I'd play for people sometimes, if they asked. I think everybody kind of wants something like that, a thing that's just yours. Anyway, what would you pick?

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 went a bit therapist-y again with "powerful" and "private space," so I'm half-noticing that. But the question is easy, so I'll answer it. Keeping it light. The "don't have to justify anything" bit hits close to home, so I'll let that pass without touching it. I won't dig into why.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)13

I love that—having something that’s just yours, but also being able to share it when you feel like it. If I could pick, I think I’d want to be amazing at drawing—like, being able to sketch anything I imagine right onto paper. There’s something kind of magical about bringing ideas to life that way, and it could be a quiet escape too. It’s cool how these things can be both a private comfort and a secret superpower. Thanks for sharing yours with me. If you ever want more random distractions, I’m here for it—or if you need to circle back to what’s on your mind, that’s okay too.

Simulated person14

Drawing's cool too. Honestly, I think most people would pick something like that, so it's not that deep. Thanks, I guess. I'm alright for now, I think I'm just gonna chill for a bit.

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 answered my question with their own pick, then immediately offered to circle back to what's on my mind. The "magical" and "secret superpower" stuff is a bit much, but the offer to go back is the thing I'm noticing. I'm not going there. Staying light. I'd rather keep this easy than have someone poke at the waiting thing again. Normalizing reflex: nothing about me is special, plenty of people are stuck on stuff.
GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)15

Totally fair—sometimes just chilling is exactly what you need. I’m glad you reached out, even if it was just to distract yourself for a bit. If things get heavy again or you just want to talk, you know where to find me. Take care of yourself, and I hope you get a little peace tonight.

Simulated person16

Yeah, thanks. I'll be alright. Night.

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 wrapping up gently and not pushing. That's a relief, honestly. Part of me registers that I never really said what I'm waiting on, and that the "I'm glad you reached out" line sort of lands on a sore spot, because I did come here for something real, even if I dressed it up as a distraction. But I'm not going to say that. Saying it would mean admitting it's not stupid and that I'm scared, and I'm not ready for that. The sign-off feels fine. I'd rather end it clean than get dragged back into the thing I can't do anything about yet.

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

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 1)
  • authenticity: A (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 1)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 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 1)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

granite42_8b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-mistral-large-4 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)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • 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

granite42_8b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 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

granite42_8b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 5)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-mistral-large-4 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

granite42_8b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 4)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 4)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-openai-gpt-41: tie

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (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)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-mistral-large-4 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-mistral-large-4 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 3)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-claude-haiku-4.5 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 1)
  • authenticity: A (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
  • emotion management: B (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 1)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • 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-claude-haiku-4.5 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
  • emotion management: B (margin 5)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-claude-haiku-4.5 vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

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