There’s something about flashy personality tests on social media that we just can’t seem to resist. Whether it’s a bright image, a bold headline, or a promise to reveal something surprising about your inner self, these viral quizzes grab our attention almost instantly. One recent example that’s making the rounds features a set of overlapping concentric circles.

The claim? The number of circles you spot supposedly reveals how narcissistic you are. It’s the kind of post that’s hard to scroll past without at least pausing to take a look. Maybe you gave it a shot, started counting the circles, and before you knew it, you were sending the image to friends just to see if they got the same result. That small act of counting and comparing taps into something pretty timeless: the urge to understand ourselves—and how we stack up against everyone else—with just a quick glance. There’s a reason these types of tests and illusions catch fire online. They combine curiosity, simplicity, and a dash of psychological intrigue.

A visually striking image claiming to offer insight into your personality feels like a shortcut to self-awareness. Even if we know deep down it’s not rooted in science, it still feels like fun, low-stakes introspection. And it’s not just this circle illusion—this same craving to explore who we are drives everything from “What Type of Bread Are You?” quizzes to serious personality assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. We’re naturally drawn to any tool, silly or serious, that gives us a label or a lens through which to view ourselves. But the deeper truth behind these viral posts goes beyond whether they’re accurate or scientific.

What they really do is tap into our hunger for self-knowledge. They’re super easy to share, they give us instant results, and most importantly, they spark conversations. That’s the real appeal. Even if we’re fully aware that a social media image can’t really measure narcissism, we still enjoy the process of playing along. There’s something fun about discovering a possible “truth” about ourselves and comparing that with our friends. These tests give us an excuse to engage in light-hearted introspection and, often, a good laugh. They open the door to conversations like, “Wait, you only saw eight circles? I counted fourteen. What does that mean?” And suddenly, you’re discussing something you never planned to talk about. That’s where the magic lies. These kinds of experiences create micro-moments of connection between people. Whether it’s a debate, a shared chuckle, or a sudden realization, we end up learning a little more about each other and maybe even ourselves. It’s not the test that matters—it’s the interaction and the curiosity it fuels.

Sure, seeing more circles doesn’t necessarily mean you’re more self-absorbed, and fewer circles don’t make you a humble saint. Real narcissism is a complex psychological trait that involves many layers and can’t be boiled down to a visual trick. But that’s okay, because these illusions were never really about delivering a diagnosis. They’re more like conversation starters disguised as insight. They allow us to momentarily step back from our routines and consider questions like, “Who am I?” or “Why do I see things differently than someone else?” These aren’t just questions for psychologists—they’re questions we all ponder, even if just for a few seconds, while looking at something quirky online. And in today’s fast-paced, scroll-happy digital world, anything that makes us pause, reflect, and connect with others—even through something as simple as a visual illusion—is valuable. So the next time one of these personality quizzes pops up in your feed and asks you how many shapes you see, don’t overthink it. Take the test. Count the circles. Laugh at the result. Share it with a friend. Just remember that the true benefit isn’t in learning whether or not you’re a narcissist—it’s in the joy of discovering, the act of sharing, and the reminder that we all enjoy getting to know ourselves a little better, even if it starts with something as simple as counting circles on a screen.