Are You a Narcissist? — Count the Circles

What a simple visual test can—and can’t—tell you about your personality

---

Scroll through social media long enough and you’ll eventually see it:

A black‑and‑white image filled with overlapping circles.
A caption underneath reads something like:

“Only narcissists see more than 10 circles.”
“Count the circles to reveal your true personality.”

You pause.
You count.
You count again.

And suddenly you’re wondering: Wait… am I a narcissist?

This article unpacks the viral “count the circles” illusion, why it feels so personal, what narcissism actually is, and why humans are irresistibly drawn to tests that claim to expose who we really are.

Spoiler alert: the number of circles you count does not diagnose narcissism—but your reaction to the test might tell you something far more interesting.

---

The Allure of Simple Personality Tests

Humans have always loved shortcuts to self‑understanding.

From horoscopes to personality quizzes, from inkblots to BuzzFeed tests, we crave quick answers to complex questions:

• Who am I?

• Am I normal?

• Am I better—or worse—than others?

• Do people secretly see something in me that I don’t?

The “count the circles” image works because it offers three powerful hooks:

1. Visual engagement – It looks simple, but it isn’t.

2. Social comparison – Your result only matters relative to others.

3. Emotional stakes – Narcissism carries moral and social weight.

The test feels playful, but the label feels serious.

---

The Viral “Count the Circles” Image Explained

If you’ve seen one version, you’ve likely seen many. While designs vary, the structure is usually the same:

• Multiple overlapping circles

• Some obvious, some subtle

• No clear starting or ending point

Different captions claim:

• “Most people see 6–8 circles”

• “If you see more than 10, you’re narcissistic”

• “If you see fewer, you’re humble but insecure”

The problem?

There is no scientific standard for how many circles “should” be seen. The number depends on:

• Visual acuity

• Pattern recognition

• Attention to detail

• How long you stare at the image

• Whether you count partial or implied shapes

In other words, the image is ambiguous by design.

---

Why Ambiguity Feels Personal

Ambiguous tests feel accurate because of a psychological effect called the Barnum Effect (also known as the Forer Effect).

This is the tendency to accept vague, general statements as deeply personal and specific.

For example:

“You sometimes doubt yourself, but at other times you’re confident.”

That sentence applies to nearly everyone—but it feels insightful.

When a test says:

“People who see many circles are narcissistic and highly self‑focused”

your brain fills in the blanks:

• I do like attention sometimes…

• But I also care about others…

• Does that mean I’m secretly narcissistic?

The test doesn’t need to be accurate—it just needs to be suggestive.

---

So… What Is Narcissism, Really?

Before we go any further, we need to clarify an important distinction.

Narcissism Is a Trait, Not a Switch

Everyone has narcissistic traits to some degree. These include:

• Wanting to be liked

• Taking pride in achievements

• Defending one’s self‑image

• Seeking recognition

This is normal and healthy.

Problems arise when these traits become extreme, rigid, and damaging.

---

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Clinically speaking, narcissism becomes a disorder only when it meets specific criteria, such as:

• Grandiose sense of self‑importance

• Constant need for admiration

• Lack of empathy

• Exploitative behavior

• Extreme sensitivity to criticism

A diagnosis requires professional evaluation over time, not a viral image.

Counting circles cannot diagnose a personality disorder—just like counting clouds cannot diagnose depression.

---

Why Narcissism Became a Cultural Obsession

The word narcissist is everywhere.

We use it to describe:

• Ex‑partners

• Bosses

• Influencers

• Politicians

• Family members

• Ourselves (sometimes jokingly, sometimes anxiously)

Why?

Because narcissism sits at the intersection of ego, morality, and relationships.

It’s not just about self‑love—it’s about how we treat others.

In a hyper‑online world built around:

• Likes

• Followers

• Personal brands

• Public validation

We are constantly negotiating the line between confidence and self‑absorption.

---

What the “Count the Circles” Test Actually Measures

Let’s strip away the viral caption and look at what’s really happening when you stare at that image.

1. Visual Processing Style

Some people naturally:

• Focus on details

• Break images into components

• Notice overlapping structures

Others:

• See the image as a whole

• Stop counting once they get a “good enough” answer

• Don’t enjoy visual puzzles

Neither style is better—or more narcissistic.

---

2. Persistence and Curiosity

Did you:

• Count once and move on?

• Count repeatedly to be sure?

• Zoom in?

• Argue with others about the “correct” number?

This reflects task engagement, not ego.

---

3. Your Reaction to the Result

This is the most revealing part.

Ask yourself:

• Did the label bother you?

• Did you dismiss it immediately?

• Did you feel defensive?

• Did you feel proud?

• Did you send it to friends?

Your emotional response says more than the number you counted.

---

The Irony: Worrying About Narcissism Is Usually a Good Sign

Here’s a paradox worth considering:

People who are truly narcissistic rarely worry about being narcissistic.

Why?

Because narcissism involves:

• Externalizing blame

• Protecting self‑image at all costs

• Minimizing personal flaws

Self‑reflection, doubt, and concern about how you affect others are typically signs of psychological flexibility, not narcissism.

If a silly image made you pause and reflect, that’s not a red flag—it’s often a green one.

---

The Social Media Effect: Performative Self‑Analysis

Tests like “count the circles” thrive online because they are:

• Shareable

• Non‑committal

• Slightly provocative

They allow people to say:

• “I only saw 5—guess I’m humble 😌”

• “I saw 12… should I be worried? 😂”

• “Everyone in the comments is wrong—it’s clearly 9.”

This turns introspection into performance.

Self‑analysis becomes content.

---

Why We Want Visual Proof of Personality

Visual tests feel objective.

Numbers feel factual.

If you can see it, count it, and measure it, it feels more real than:

• Feelings

• Memories

• Behavioral patterns

But personality isn’t a visual puzzle. It’s a pattern over time.

How you:

• Handle criticism

• Treat people when you have power

• Respond when you’re wrong

• Apologize (or don’t)

• Listen (or don’t)

These matter far more than what you see in an image.

---

A Better Question Than “Am I a Narcissist?”

Instead of asking:

“Am I a narcissist?”

Try asking:

• Do I listen as much as I speak?

• Can I admit when I’m wrong?

• Do I care how my actions affect others?

• Do I need constant validation to feel okay?

• Can I feel proud without putting others down?

These questions don’t have viral images—but they have real answers.

---

Healthy Self‑Focus vs. Narcissism

It’s important to say this clearly:

Liking yourself is not narcissism.

Healthy self‑focus includes:

• Setting boundaries

• Celebrating achievements

• Protecting your mental health

• Saying no

• Wanting respect

Narcissism begins when self‑focus erases others.

---

Why the “Count the Circles” Test Keeps Coming Back

Despite being debunked repeatedly, the test resurfaces every few months.

Why?

Because it offers:

• Instant insight

• Low effort

• Emotional payoff

• A sense of being “seen”

It’s not about accuracy—it’s about engagement.

And in that sense, the test succeeds brilliantly.

---

What You Can Take Away Instead

Next time you see a viral personality test, try this:

1. Enjoy it as a game, not a verdict

2. Notice your reaction, not the result

3. Reflect beyond the image

If a silly illusion made you think about empathy, ego, or self‑awareness—that’s already valuable.

---

Final Thoughts: The Real Test Isn’t Visual

The real test of narcissism isn’t how many circles you count.

It’s how you move through the world when no one is counting.

• How you treat people who can’t offer you anything

• How you respond when your ego is bruised

• How you balance self‑worth with humility

Those answers take time.
They take honesty.
They can’t be captured in a viral image.

So count the circles if you want.

Just don’t let them count you.