You’ve probably stumbled across one of those viral images on social media asking, “How many circles do you see?”—followed by a bold claim like, “If you see fewer than 4, you’re a narcissist!” These types of memes have exploded in popularity, especially among users looking for quick insights into their personality. But is there any truth behind them? Or are we just being fooled by clever optical illusions?
This article dives into one particularly trendy image—the overlapping circle illusion—and the wild claims it makes about narcissism. We’ll unpack how our brains process visual information, whether there’s a real link to personality traits like narcissism, and why we love these kinds of tests so much.
Step 1: The Viral Image That Sparked It All
The image in question is deceptively simple: a series of concentric or overlapping circles that appear to form different shapes depending on how you focus your eyes. Some people claim to see as few as 4 circles; others say they spot more than 20. The meme then humorously concludes that the fewer circles you see, the more self-absorbed you are.
Of course, it’s shared with a wink—most people know it’s a joke. But it taps into something deeper: our fascination with instant personality quizzes and the allure of discovering “who we really are” through visual perception.
Step 2: What Optical Illusions Reveal About the Brain
Optical illusions like this one play tricks on the way our visual system interprets shapes, contrasts, and spatial relationships. Our brains are wired to seek patterns, often filling in gaps or simplifying complex images to make sense of them quickly.
This is why some people may see fewer circles—they’re focusing on a bigger picture or filtering out intersecting shapes. Others may look closer and distinguish each individual form.
So does seeing more circles mean you’re more observant or empathetic? Not necessarily. It likely means you were more focused, analytical, or had better lighting on your screen! The number of circles you see says more about your brain’s visual processing than your ego.
Step 3: Debunking the Narcissism Claim
Let’s get one thing straight: narcissism cannot be diagnosed through a meme. True narcissistic personality disorder is a clinical diagnosis that involves traits like grandiosity, lack of empathy, and an inflated sense of self-importance. It requires psychological evaluation, not an internet image.
The meme plays on stereotypes and exaggerates for comedic effect. Still, people are quick to identify with or joke about the results. Why? Because personality memes give us a fun, harmless way to engage in self-reflection—or just laugh at ourselves.
Step 4: Why We Love These Tests (Even If They’re Not Scientific)
Even though the science behind these illusions is more about perception than personality, they remain hugely popular. That’s because they’re:
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Interactive: You compare your result with friends.
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Quick: No deep reading or time investment.
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Entertaining: They blend humor with a hint of truth.
In an age where attention spans are short and social media thrives on engagement, these optical illusion quizzes offer the perfect snackable content.
So, does the number of circles you see determine if you’re a narcissist? The honest answer: not at all. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the illusion. Understanding how your brain processes images is fascinating in itself—and knowing the science behind it makes the illusion even cooler.
Next time someone sends you one of those memes, smile and ask them how many circles they see. But don’t forget: whether you see 4 or 24, your personality is shaped by much more than a picture on a screen.