In the age of viral memes and pop-psychology quizzes, one image has taken social media by storm: an optical illusion claiming that “The number of circles you see determines if you’re a narcissist.”
But is there any truth behind this bold claim — or is it just another fun illusion masked as science?
🔵 The Illusion: How Many Circles Do You See?
The viral image displays a series of blurry, overlapping concentric circles set against a black background. Depending on how you focus, you might see 12, 16, 20 or more circles.
The meme asserts that the more circles you can spot, the less narcissistic you are — and if you only see a few? Well, it suggests you might be a narcissist.
Cue the online chaos: people debating their results, tagging friends, and joking (or not) about their personalities.
🧠 What Science Says About Narcissism
Let’s set the record straight. Narcissism is a complex personality trait. Clinically, it refers to Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), which involves patterns of grandiosity, a strong need for admiration, and a lack of empathy — and it’s diagnosed through professional psychological assessment, not a viral image.
No credible studies support the idea that how many circles you see relates to how narcissistic you are.
What you’re really witnessing? An optical illusion that tricks your brain’s pattern recognition — not your moral compass.
🎯 Why These Memes Go Viral
Despite the lack of science, illusions like this continue to thrive online for three key reasons:
Simplicity: They’re easy to engage with and understand instantly.
Provocation: They tap into our curiosity and sense of self.
Social sharing: Everyone wants to compare results — or prove they saw more than their friends.
It’s entertaining — and that’s fine, as long as we don’t confuse entertainment with diagnosis.
💡 The Takeaway: It’s Just a Trick of the Eye
So, what does it mean if you see more or fewer circles?
It likely says more about your visual processing, screen quality, or even your lighting — not your personality.
Still, illusions like this serve a valuable purpose: they remind us how fallible (and fascinating) our perception can be. They’re fun, they’re surprising, and they spark conversation.
Just don’t let them convince you you’re a narcissist — unless you’re stealing mirrors, too. 😉
