“The Number of Circles You See” Meme – What It Really Means

• A viral meme claims the number of circles you see in an optical illusion reveals if you’re a narcissist.
• The illusion shows overlapping concentric circles — some people see a few, others see many.
• The meme suggests:
  • Seeing 4-5 circles = you’re highly narcissistic.
  • Seeing 7-8 circles = you’re average.
  • Seeing 12 or more = you’re empathetic and humble.

But here’s the truth:

• There is no scientific evidence linking this illusion to narcissism or personality traits.
• The illusion works by confusing your brain’s pattern recognition and contrast perception, not your psychology.
• Different people may see different numbers of circles based on:
  • Screen quality
  • Lighting
  • Focus and eye sensitivity
  • How long they look at the image

Why it went viral:

• People love quick, entertaining ways to “analyze” themselves.
• It combines psychology, mystery, and optical illusion — all popular elements on social media.
• Despite being inaccurate, it taps into a common human desire to understand ourselves better.

Final takeaway:

• The illusion is fun, but not a real personality test.
• Seeing more or fewer circles just shows how your brain processes visuals — not your level of narcissism.