Your Narcissism Is Determined by the Number of Circles You Observe Investigating Optical Illusions

 

 Investigating Optical Illusions

Optical illusions have fascinated humans for centuries. From ancient geometric puzzles etched into stone to modern viral images shared across social media, illusions challenge the way we perceive reality. In recent years, a particular type of illusion has gained enormous attention online—those that claim to reveal your personality traits based on what you see first. One popular claim suggests that the number of circles you observe in an image can determine how narcissistic you are.

But is there any truth behind this idea, or is it simply another entertaining internet myth? Can optical illusions really uncover deep psychological traits like narcissism, or are they just clever tricks that play with our visual system?

In this article, we will take a deep dive into:

• What optical illusions are and how they work

• Why illusions involving circles are so effective

• What narcissism actually means in psychology

• Why people believe personality-revealing illusions

• The science (and pseudoscience) behind such claims

• Whether these tests should be taken seriously

• Why they remain so popular in modern culture

By the end, you’ll understand not only why these illusions are so captivating, but also what they truly say—if anything—about your personality.

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What Are Optical Illusions?

An optical illusion is a visual image that deceives the brain into perceiving something that differs from objective reality. While your eyes may faithfully transmit information, your brain interprets that information based on experience, expectations, and cognitive shortcuts.

Optical illusions generally fall into three categories:

1. Literal Illusions

These occur when the image contains multiple interpretations. For example, you may see a vase or two faces depending on how your brain organizes the image.

2. Physiological Illusions

These arise from overstimulation of the visual system—such as excessive brightness, color, or contrast—leading to afterimages or distortions.

3. Cognitive Illusions

These rely on unconscious assumptions your brain makes about the world. Many personality-based illusions fall into this category.

Illusions involving circles often combine cognitive and literal elements, making them particularly effective at capturing attention.

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Why Circles? The Psychology of Simple Shapes

Circles are one of the most fundamental shapes humans recognize. Long before children learn numbers or letters, they can identify circles. Psychologically, circles are associated with:

• Wholeness

• Unity

• Harmony

• Continuity

Because of their simplicity, circles are easy to replicate, overlap, hide, and distort within complex images. Designers of optical illusions use this to their advantage by embedding circles within patterns, shadows, or other shapes.

When an image claims to reveal something about you based on how many circles you see, it exploits two key aspects of human perception:

1. Selective attention – what you focus on first

2. Pattern recognition – how your brain organizes visual information

These processes vary from person to person, which makes the illusion feel personal and insightful.

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The Viral Claim: Circles and Narcissism

The claim usually goes something like this:

• If you see only a few circles, you are humble and empathetic.

• If you see many circles, you are confident, self-focused, or narcissistic.

At first glance, this seems intriguing. After all, narcissism is often associated with self-awareness, attention to detail, and a heightened focus on the self. So it might feel logical that someone who notices more circles is more self-focused or analytical.

But psychology is rarely that simple.

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What Is Narcissism—Really?

In psychology, narcissism is not just vanity or self-love. It exists on a spectrum.

Healthy Narcissism

Everyone has some level of narcissism. Healthy narcissism includes:

• Self-confidence

• Pride in accomplishments

• Ability to advocate for oneself

This type of narcissism is normal and even necessary for mental well-being.

Unhealthy Narcissism

At the extreme end is Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), which involves:

• Excessive need for admiration

• Lack of empathy

• Grandiose self-image

• Exploitative behavior

Importantly, diagnosing narcissism requires clinical assessment, not a single visual test.

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Why People Believe Optical Illusions Reveal Personality

Despite lacking scientific backing, these illusions feel convincing. Here’s why:

1. The Barnum Effect

This is the tendency to believe vague, general statements apply specifically to you. When an illusion gives broad descriptions like “you are confident but sometimes misunderstood,” most people relate.

2. Confirmation Bias

If the result matches how you already see yourself, you’re more likely to believe it.

3. Emotional Engagement

Visual tests feel interactive and personal, unlike traditional quizzes.

4. Social Validation

When friends share the same illusion and discuss results, it reinforces belief.

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The Neuroscience Behind What You See

When you look at an optical illusion, several brain regions are involved:

• Visual cortex processes shapes and contrast

• Parietal lobe handles spatial awareness

• Prefrontal cortex contributes interpretation

The number of circles you notice is influenced by:

• Lighting and screen quality

• Visual acuity

• Attention span

• Prior exposure to similar images

• Mood and fatigue

None of these factors are reliable indicators of narcissism.

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What Seeing More (or Fewer) Circles Actually Means

If we remove the personality claims, what does noticing more circles really suggest?

Possible Interpretations (Non-Clinical)

• You may have strong pattern recognition skills

• You might naturally scan images more thoroughly

• You could be visually detail-oriented

• Or simply more familiar with optical illusions

Seeing fewer circles might mean:

• You focus on dominant shapes

• You process images more holistically

• You stop searching once the main image is clear

These are cognitive styles, not personality diagnoses.

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Why These Illusions Spread So Fast Online

Optical illusions claiming to reveal narcissism thrive on social media because they are:

• Quick to consume

• Easy to share

• Non-threatening

• Conversation-starting

They combine entertainment with self-reflection, which is a powerful mix.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook prioritize content that sparks comments and debate—and nothing does that better than personality claims.

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Are These Tests Harmful?

Most of the time, they are harmless fun. However, problems can arise when:

• People take results too seriously

• Labels like “narcissist” are used carelessly

• Self-image is affected negatively

Especially for younger audiences, it’s important to remember that personality is complex and cannot be reduced to a single image.

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The Difference Between Pop Psychology and Real Psychology

Pop psychology simplifies complex ideas for mass appeal. While it can raise awareness, it often sacrifices accuracy.

Real psychological assessment involves:

• Multiple tests

• Behavioral observation

• Contextual analysis

• Professional interpretation

An optical illusion might reveal how your brain organizes visual data—but not whether you lack empathy or have a grandiose self-image.

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Why We Want Personality Shortcuts

Humans naturally seek shortcuts to understanding themselves and others. Personality tests, astrology, and optical illusions all serve this desire.

They offer:

• A sense of identity

• A way to explain behavior

• A feeling of being “understood”

The illusion of insight can feel just as powerful as real insight.

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How to Enjoy Optical Illusions the Right Way

Instead of asking, “What does this say about my narcissism?” try asking:

• How does my brain interpret visual information?

• Why did I notice this before that?

• What does this reveal about attention and perception?

This approach keeps the experience educational rather than judgmental.

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Final Verdict: Can Circles Measure Narcissism?

No—the number of circles you observe in an optical illusion does not determine your level of narcissism.

What it does show is how:

• Perception varies between individuals

• The brain constructs reality

• Simple visuals can create complex interpretations

These illusions are fascinating tools for exploring human perception, but they are not psychological diagnostics.