This tendency is closely tied to something psychologists call cognitive bias. We trust our first impression. We believe our interpretation is correct. And when someone else gives a different answer, we may dismiss it instead of reconsidering.
In many ways, that’s where the connection to narcissism comes in.
The “I’m Right” Reflex
The word “narcissist” is often used casually today. Clinically, narcissism refers to an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and difficulty empathizing with others. But in everyday life, mild narcissistic traits appear in small, subtle ways.
For example, when someone counts the squares and confidently declares, “There are 8,” they might feel certain they’re correct. If another person says, “Actually, there are 12,” the immediate reaction may not be curiosity — it may be defensiveness.“I looked carefully.”
“You must be wrong.”
“I know what I saw.”
Quiz Game in C – GeeksforGeeks
The puzzle becomes less about counting squares and more about protecting the ego.
Layers Beyond the Surface
If you take a second look at the blocks, you may notice that the arrangement creates overlapping perspectives. Some squares are visible from the top. Others appear on the front. Depending on the angle, you might count different totals.
Life works the same way.
We see situations from our own angle and assume that’s the full picture. We count what’s obvious to us. But someone standing at a different perspective may see more — or less.
