Do the Circles You See in an Optical Illusion Really Say If You’re a Narcissist? Here’s the Truth
You’ve probably seen it online — a black-and-white image filled with circles and a bold claim underneath:
“The number of circles you see tells if you’re a narcissist.”
It’s the kind of post that stops you mid-scroll. You might stare at it for a moment, count the circles, wonder what it says about you… and maybe even send it to a friend with a “you need to try this!” message. It’s fun, fast, and a little mysterious — but is there any truth to it?
In this article, we’ll break it all down. We’ll explore how optical illusions work, what narcissism actually means, and why these quick online “tests” are so popular. Spoiler alert: the number of circles you see doesn’t actually say anything about your personality — but the reason we’re drawn to illusions like this one is more fascinating than you might think.
Why People Love Quick Personality Tests
Social media is full of quizzes and illusions. From “What pizza topping are you?” to “Which animal matches your energy?” — we love finding out fun things about ourselves. It gives us a quick boost, a moment of self-discovery, and a chance to share something interesting.
The circle meme taps into that perfectly:
- It’s easy to try.
- It feels personal.
- It promises a peek into who you are — in just a few seconds.
But behind this simple test is a bigger topic: how we see, how we think, and why we’re fascinated by psychology.
How Optical Illusions Work
Before we talk about narcissism, let’s understand what an optical illusion is.
Optical illusions are images that trick your eyes and brain. You might see shapes that aren’t there or miss something that is. Why? Because your brain is always trying to make sense of the world — and sometimes it guesses wrong.
3 Main Types of Optical Illusions:
- Literal Illusions – Images that show more than one thing at the same time. For example, an image that looks like both a duck and a rabbit depending on how you look at it.
- Physiological Illusions – These happen when your eyes are overwhelmed by patterns or lights. For example, you might see spots that don’t really exist on a black-and-white grid.
- Cognitive Illusions – These play with your brain’s expectations. A line might look longer than another, even if they’re the same size, just because of how they’re drawn.
So when you look at a circle illusion and see a different number of rings than someone else, it doesn’t mean anything about your personality. It just means your eyes and brain are interpreting the image differently.
Let’s Talk About the Meme: “The Circles You See Reveal Your Narcissism”
The popular meme shows several white circles on a black background. It says something like:
“If you see 3 circles, you’re a narcissist. If you see 7 or more, you’re normal.”
Sounds scientific? Not really.
There is no science behind this. No psychologist has linked the number of circles you see in a picture to narcissism. It’s just for fun — like a magic trick that makes you think it’s revealing something deep when it’s really not.
But the reason it works is that it feels personal.
So, What Is Narcissism Really?
1. Everyday Use vs. Clinical Diagnosis
- Everyday use: People use the word “narcissist” when talking about someone who’s full of themselves, always taking selfies, or showing off online.
- Real narcissism (also called Narcissistic Personality Disorder) is more serious. It includes:
- Needing constant attention
- Lacking empathy
- Believing they’re more important than others
- Using people to get ahead
This kind of personality disorder can only be diagnosed by a mental health professional. And it requires much more than just looking at a picture.
Bottom line: Seeing more or fewer circles has nothing to do with being a narcissist.
Why Do We Fall for Memes Like This?
The real question isn’t whether the meme is true — it’s why we’re drawn to it in the first place. And the answer lies in how our brains work.
Psychology Tricks That Make the Meme Work:
- The Barnum Effect
This happens when people believe vague descriptions apply specifically to them. Like, “You are strong but sometimes sensitive.” That could apply to anyone — but we believe it’s unique. - Confirmation Bias
We tend to believe things that support what we already think. So if you think you might be self-centered, you’ll believe a meme that confirms it. - Quick Feedback
In just seconds, you get a result. It feels exciting and insightful, even if it’s not based on science.
Do Personality Tests Work At All?
Some do! Psychologists use tools like the Big Five Personality Test or the MMPI in real research and therapy. These are based on years of study and careful testing.
But most online quizzes and memes? They’re designed more for clicks than accuracy.
Still, they’re not all bad. They can:
- Help you think about who you are
- Start fun conversations
- Offer harmless entertainment
As long as you don’t treat them as real diagnoses, they’re fine to enjoy.
How Perception Works (And Why We See Things Differently)
When you and your friend see different numbers of circles, it doesn’t mean your personalities are different. It just means:
- You focused on different parts of the image
- Your screens may be different sizes
- You were distracted
- Your lighting was different
Perception is flexible, and that’s what makes optical illusions so fun.
Why Memes About Narcissism Go Viral
In today’s world, people talk a lot about narcissism. Some say social media is making us more self-centered. Others worry about being labeled “a narcissist” too quickly.
Memes that touch on this fear — and promise a simple answer — get shared fast.
But remember: true narcissism is not about how many selfies someone posts. It’s about how they treat others, how they see themselves, and whether they can form healthy relationships.
The Real Lesson Behind the Circles
This meme isn’t about narcissism — it’s about how we interact with images and ideas online.
Here’s what we can learn:
- Our brains are powerful but also easy to fool
- We love to understand ourselves, even in silly ways
- We should be careful before labeling anyone, including ourselves
Final Thoughts: Count the Circles, But Don’t Count on the Result
So, how many circles did you see? Three? Seven? Ten?
Whatever the number, it doesn’t define your personality. The meme might make you laugh or think, but it’s not a test you should take seriously.
Instead, use it as a fun reminder that:
- Perception is complex
- Personality is even more complex
- And self-discovery takes more than a social media post
If you’re ever truly concerned about your mental health or curious about your personality in a deeper way, the best place to go is a licensed mental health professional.
Until then, enjoy the memes — just don’t let them define you.
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Stay curious, stay kind — and always question what you scroll past.
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