The internet loves a good personality test, especially when it involves an optical illusion. One viral example that keeps resurfacing is an image filled with concentric circles, paired with the claim: “The number of circles you see will reveal if you’re a narcissist.” At first glance, it appears playful—a visual puzzle meant to tease the brain. But many people are left wondering: can something so simple really say something about your personality, especially something as complex as narcissism?
This illusion typically shows a series of faint, overlapping circles within a black background. Viewers are asked to count how many circles they see, and based on that number, the test supposedly reveals something about their personality. Some versions of the meme suggest that seeing fewer circles indicates emotional detachment or self-centeredness, while seeing more circles hints at empathy and perceptiveness. The entire exercise has captivated social media users who are eager to “read” themselves and their friends through a quick visual challenge.
However, the reality is far less dramatic. Psychologists and vision experts point out that there is no scientific connection between how many circles someone perceives in an image and whether or not they are a narcissist. Narcissism is a clinically recognized personality trait that involves grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Diagnosing or even estimating someone’s narcissistic tendencies requires thorough psychological assessment—not an optical illusion. The “circle test” is better understood as a quirky bit of internet fun than any serious tool for self-discovery.
What the test can tell us, though, is a bit about how visual perception works. The number of circles someone sees may vary depending on factors like screen brightness, eyesight, attention span, or how closely they examine the image. It also highlights how framing influences interpretation. If someone is told in advance that seeing more circles suggests intelligence or sensitivity, they may be motivated to look more carefully—thus “finding” more circles. This doesn’t reveal their personality, but rather how suggestible or detail-oriented they are in the moment.
This kind of illusion also taps into the Barnum effect—a psychological phenomenon where people believe vague, generalized personality descriptions are specifically tailored for them. If a test result says, “You are creative but sometimes misunderstood,” many people will nod in agreement, regardless of its accuracy. The circle test uses a similar trick by assigning appealing traits to different counts of circles. The results feel personal, even though they’re designed to be universally relatable.
In conclusion, the circle test is a perfect example of how internet culture blends entertainment with pseudo-psychology. It’s a fun way to challenge your visual perception, but it shouldn’t be taken as a serious reflection of who you are—narcissist or not. True self-awareness requires more than a viral image; it takes honest introspection, context, and often, professional insight. So next time you see those hypnotic rings, feel free to count them—but don’t let them define you.
