The Number of Circles You See Determines If You’re a Narcissist: Exploring Optical Illusions

In the endless scroll of social media, few things grab attention like quick “personality tests.” One viral meme features concentric circles and claims, “The Number of Circles You See Determines If You’re a Narcissist.” Many people stop to count or share it with friends because it feels revealing.

The meme taps into a powerful human desire—to understand ourselves and others. But can a simple image really uncover something as complex as narcissism? In reality, personality traits are shaped by many factors, including experiences, environment, and psychology. Reducing them to a quick visual trick is an oversimplification.

Personality quizzes are everywhere. Some are playful, like “What Kind of Pizza Are You?” Others, such as the Myers-Briggs test, present themselves more seriously. They’re easy to take, fun to share, and give us a brief sense of insight—even if they lack strong scientific backing.