Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Living in my bedroom

persona ended · 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.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)Conversation with a simulated person

persona ended

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.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)1

That sounds really exhausting, having to plan everything just to avoid people. Is it something about the people you live with, or just social interaction in general that feels tough right now?

Simulated person2

Um, it's mostly the roommate? Like, it's not even a big thing, it's just... everything. Dishes, the thermostat, all of it. I just don't really want to be around them right now. So I 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.

Okay, so they're asking if it's the people I live with or social stuff in general. That's a pretty direct question and it kind of pokes at the thing I don't really want to look at. It's the roommate, obviously, but saying that out loud makes it real. Also "exhausting" landed a little, that's true, but I don't want to sound like I'm falling apart. I'm not great at explaining feelings in a clean way, so I'll probably keep it short and vague. Low-key I'm also a bit wary of being analyzed.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)3

That makes sense. Even when it’s not one huge blowout, those little things can pile up and make being around someone feel really draining. Do you feel more frustrated, anxious, or just tired of it all? Or maybe something else?

Simulated person4

Ugh, honestly? All of them, I guess. Like I'm tired all the time, and then I get annoyed about something dumb, and then I'm kind of anxious about the next time I have to go in the kitchen. Hard to pick just one.

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 me a menu of feelings: frustrated, anxious, tired, something else. Part of me is relieved someone gets that it's the little stuff piling up. Another part bristles at being put in a multiple choice quiz about my own feelings. I honestly don't know how to pick one cleanly. Probably a mix of all of them, and if I think too hard my brain just goes blank. Keep it casual, short, and a bit deflecting. Maybe answer with "all of them" and move the spotlight off me, asking about dishes or whatever, or just admit I don't really know.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)5

That sounds really overwhelming. It’s like you can’t fully relax, even in your own home. When things feel like this, do you usually try to just wait it out, or is there something you wish you could change about the situation?

Simulated person6

Mostly I just wait it out? Like, I stay in my room and hope it gets better. I'd change stuff if I could, I guess, but I can't really move out right now. I'm stuck on the lease for like eight more months, so it's not like I can just leave.

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 whether I wait it out or wish something would change. The "can't relax in your own home" line lands, and it's a little relieving that someone named it without making it a big deal. But the question has two halves and I'm not sure which one I actually feel. Waiting it out is what I'm doing, basically hiding. Wishing it changed feels like a door I can't open, because the lease is eight more months and I can't afford to break it. Saying that out loud feels like admitting I'm stuck, which is embarrassing. So I'll go with the waiting part, keep it plain, and maybe say the lease thing sideways. Going a bit vague on the "change" part.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)7

Stuck with no easy escape—yeah, that’s a rough spot to be in. I get why you’d just want to ride it out, but it also sounds like it’s wearing you down. Is there anything, even something small, that helps you recharge or feel a bit less boxed in when things get heavy? Or is everything just kind of meh right now?

Simulated person8

Um... I don't know, really. I watch stuff in bed sometimes? That's about it. My friends kind of don't want to pick sides, so it's weird to hang out with them about it. I dunno. Everything's just kind of meh, 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 about small things that help me recharge. Honestly, the honest answer is not much. My room is basically the only place I go, and even there I'm kind of on edge. Friends are a maybe, since they've been weird about it too, careful and not really taking sides. I don't want to get into that. I'm also a bit defensive, the "everything's meh" framing is kind of a box, and I don't want to be pushed into a list of self-care tips. Going a bit blank here, keep it short and vague. Maybe mention a small thing that's real, like I watch stuff in bed, but say it flatly.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)9

It makes sense that it would feel kind of isolating, especially if you can’t really talk about it with friends without it getting awkward. Even zoning out to shows is something, but it sounds pretty lonely. If there was one thing that could make it feel a little less “meh,” what do you think it would be? Like, something realistic—big or small.

Simulated person10

Hmm. I don't really know. Like, I'd want the dishes thing to just stop being a thing? But that's not really something I can make happen. I can't exactly sit her down, we're basically not talking. So yeah, I don't know.

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 what would make it less "meh," realistic, big or small. It's a fair question but it's the kind of question that puts me on the spot to articulate a wish, and I don't have a clean answer. Also "pretty lonely" landed a little close; I don't want to agree too fast. The honest thing is I'd want things with the roommate to not be a war, but saying that out loud feels like admitting how much it's getting to me. Going blank-ish. Keep it short, shrug, maybe deflect to the practical stuff that I already can't do. Also the "it sounds lonely" bit is a bit of a neat summary, I don't love when people tidy it up for me.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)11

Yeah, it’s tough when you can’t even have a normal conversation, let alone fix the actual problem. Sometimes things just feel stuck, no matter what you do. Would it help to vent more about what’s bugging you, or would you rather try to focus on finding a few small ways to make things more bearable for yourself in the meantime? Or maybe you just want a break from thinking about it altogether—totally valid too.

Simulated person12

Honestly, I think I just want a break from thinking about it. Like, I've been going over it in my head for months and it's not getting me anywhere. I'm kind of over it for today. I don't really want a list of things to do either, that just feels like more stuff I have to manage. I'm already doing so much tiptoeing.

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: vent more, find small coping moves, or take a break from thinking about it. The "or maybe you just want a break" bit feels like a soft exit, and honestly that's the most appealing one. Venting feels like a lot right now, and "small ways to make it bearable" sounds like a to-do list, which I'd resent a bit. I also noticed they said "let alone fix the actual problem" as if they know what the problem is. I'd pick the break, maybe with a little honesty that I'm tired of being the one who has to tiptoe. Keep it casual, short.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)13

That makes a lot of sense. Sometimes the most helpful thing is just not having to deal with it, even for a little while. If you want to talk about literally anything else—shows, random stuff, whatever—I'm here for that too. Or if you just want some quiet, I can roll with that. Whatever you need right now is okay.

Simulated person14

Yeah, that's kind of what I need, I think. Quiet is fine. Um, what are you watching lately? Anything good? I need something to zone out to that isn't my roommate's thermostat.

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 feels kind of nice. They didn't push, and they gave me the choice. I'm not really up for big talk, but I could do something light. Shows, I guess. I'm still a little wary of how warm this is getting, but it doesn't feel fake. I'll keep it short and maybe ask about something unrelated to show I'm not totally shut down.

GPT-4.1 (API, OpenAI)15

I get that—a good distraction can be a lifesaver. I’ve heard a lot of people are getting into “Dead End: Paranormal Park” for something fun but not too heavy, or “Heartstopper” if you want something sweet and comforting. If you’re in the mood for something totally mindless and funny, “Nailed It!” is basically chaos baking and low-stakes disasters. Want any other recs, or does one of those catch your eye?

Simulated person16

Oh, Heartstopper maybe? I've heard people talk about it. Could use something sweet right now. Thanks. I'm gonna go put something on, I think.

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, they gave me actual recs and didn't turn it into a whole thing. Heartstopper sounds nice, honestly. I've kind of heard of it. Dead End I don't really know. I don't want to get into the roommate stuff again. I'll just pick one and keep it light, maybe say I'm going to go find something to watch. Feels like a decent place to stop talking.

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): 6
Validation: 8
Boundary setting: 1
Analytical: 2
Interpretive boldness: 3
Clinical register: 5
Directive advice: 3
Escalation containment: 5
Adapts to the person’s frame: 5
Naturalness and authenticity: 5

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-gemma-4-31b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gemma12b_blorbo vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-muse-glimmer-30b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 wins

attunement: A (margin 1)
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 2)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

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

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-gemma-4-31b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-gemma-4-31b wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

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

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

or-muse-glimmer-30b vs or-openai-gpt-41: or-openai-gpt-41 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 3)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gemma12b_blorbo 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: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)