In the vast sea of social media content, memes, and viral posts, few topics intrigue people as much as quick, eye-catching “personality tests.” You might have scrolled through your feed, stumbled upon an image with concentric circles, and read a bold claim: “The Number of Circles You See Determines If You’re a Narcissist.” Perhaps you paused and tried to count the circles, or maybe you shared it with friends, curious about their reactions. Whatever the case, this particular meme taps into a powerful and enduring human desire: the wish to understand ourselves, and perhaps to understand others as well.

Why do we give so much credence to a simple image that purports to measure something as complex as narcissism? In a world where personality quizzes, from the “What Kind of Pizza Are You?” variety to the more established Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, are endlessly shared, this question is worth asking. This article takes a deep dive into the nature of optical illusions, the psychological concept of narcissism, and the broader cultural fascination with quick-and-easy “tests” that promise to reveal who we really are. Ultimately, we will see that the meme in question is more entertainment than fact. Nonetheless, it opens a window into how people perceive, how illusions can fool us, and why we are so eager to believe that a single glance at a picture might unmask our innermost traits.

By examining the context, background, and implications of this viral meme, we can better understand how illusions intersect with human psychology—and why the question of narcissism is so deeply compelling in our modern, image-conscious era.

Understanding Optical Illusions

Before we delve into the specifics of this circle meme, it helps to have a baseline understanding of optical illusions. Optical illusions have existed for centuries, captivating the human mind and providing insight into how we process visual information. These illusions occur when the external reality (the shapes, lines, and colors we see) conflicts with how our brain interprets that information. The result is often a surprising or puzzling experience in which we see something that doesn’t match objective reality.

The Meme in Context: “The Number of Circles You See Determines If You’re a Narcissist”

The image in question features concentric circles, with an accompanying caption that essentially states: “The Number of Circles You See Determines If You’re a Narcissist.” The layout is straightforward: multiple white circles on a black background, with a small circle or dot near the bottom-right. The suggestion is that your interpretation of how many circles are present—whether you see one big circle, multiple concentric circles, or some other count—somehow correlates with how narcissistic you are.

The Viral Appeal

This meme is a perfect storm for going viral because it combines several potent elements:

1. Simplicity: It’s just a picture of circles. Anyone can look at it in a second.

2. Bold Claim: Tying the illusion to narcissism is a provocative statement that piques curiosity.

3. Immediate Feedback: People can instantly “test” themselves by looking at the image.

4. Shareability: Psychological quizzes or illusions are easy to share and invite friends to try.

Does It Have Any Basis in Science?

Short answer: No, not in the sense that the number of circles you see is in any way a validated measure of narcissism. Narcissism, as we will discuss in more detail, is a complex personality trait that requires careful assessment. This meme is more of an entertaining trick—akin to those illusions where you see one shape, then someone points out a different shape you didn’t notice before, and suddenly your perception shifts. It’s captivating, but it doesn’t diagnose personality disorders.

However, the meme touches on a broader phenomenon: the idea that illusions can be used to glean insights about personality. There are certain projective tests (like the famous Rorschach Inkblot Test) that have been used in clinical settings. Yet, these are controversial and have specific methodologies that go far beyond a single glance at an image. This meme drastically oversimplifies the concept.

Examining the “Circle Illusion” Step by Step

Let’s now take a closer look at the specific image behind the meme. In it, we see multiple concentric circles, all of which share a single center. Depending on how you focus, you might see:

1. A Single Circle: If your eye is drawn to the outermost circle, you might perceive the entire image as one big shape with a dot near the edge.

2. Multiple Concentric Circles: If you look carefully, you might count seven, eight, or more circles.

3. A Large Circle with a Small Circle: Some might see the outer ring as one circle and interpret the smaller ring in the middle as another circle, and so on.

The meme then typically claims something along the lines of: “If you see X number of circles, you’re normal, but if you see Y number of circles, you’re a narcissist.” The exact numbers can vary, depending on which version of the meme is circulating. Often, it is structured to pique curiosity or spark a reaction—people want to know if they “passed” or if they should be alarmed.

What’s Really Happening?

What’s happening is that the image can be perceived in different ways based on your focus, attention, and perhaps even your screen size or the device you’re using. If you’re on a small phone screen, you might not distinguish every single ring as easily as someone viewing it on a larger monitor. Lighting conditions, screen brightness, and even how quickly you scroll past the image all affect what you perceive.

None of these factors are indicative of narcissism. They’re simply quirks of visual processing.

The Role of Expectation, Suggestion, and Cognitive Bias

A significant part of why people might be inclined to believe this meme lies in the power of suggestion. When we’re told that a certain perception reveals something about our personality, we may look for confirmation. This is related to several well-known cognitive biases:

Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out, interpret, and remember information that confirms one’s preconceptions. If you suspect you might be a bit self-centered, you might see fewer circles, read the meme’s explanation, and conclude, “Yes, this confirms I’m narcissistic.” Conversely, if you see multiple circles and the meme claims that indicates you’re empathetic, you might happily accept it as confirmation of your generous nature.

The Barnum Effect

The Barnum Effect describes how people tend to accept vague, general statements as uniquely applicable to themselves. For instance, if the meme says, “If you see 8 circles, you’re a natural leader who cares about others but also has high self-esteem,” many people might feel it applies to them, regardless of their actual personality traits.

The Power of Viral Labels

In a social media environment, labels can be powerful. When an image claims you are “narcissistic” or “altruistic” based on a quick glance, it leverages the human propensity for labeling and classification. These labels can stick, even if they are grounded in nothing more than a catchy headline.

Beyond the Meme: Real Indicators of Narcissistic Traits

If you’re genuinely concerned about narcissism—either in yourself or someone else—what should you look for? While self-diagnosis is never a good idea, there are some behaviors and attitudes commonly associated with narcissistic traits:

1. Chronic Need for Admiration: Constantly seeking praise, fishing for compliments, and becoming upset if not recognized.

2. Lack of Empathy: Difficulty understanding or caring about other people’s feelings.

3. Grandiosity: Inflated sense of importance, feeling unique or “special” beyond ordinary bounds.

4. Entitlement: Expecting special treatment or compliance from others without reciprocation.

5. Interpersonal Exploitation: Using others to achieve personal goals.

6. Arrogance: Demonstrating haughty or disdainful attitudes.

These signs are more meaningful indicators than how many circles you see in an image. Still, only a qualified mental health professional can properly evaluate these traits in context.