Optical illusion or psychological test: What do the circles you see reveal about you?

 

Optical illusion or psychological test: What do the circles you see reveal about you?

Visual puzzles often circulate on social media, promising to reveal hidden aspects of our personalities, character traits, or even psychological disorders. One such example is an image of eggs frying in a pan; the caption claims that the number of circles you count reveals your level of narcissism.

While such tests are primarily intended for entertainment and grabbing attention, they offer a great opportunity to discuss how our visual perception works and what truly defines narcissism.

1. How many circles do you see?

At first glance, the image appears very simple—eggs frying in a pan. However, once you start counting the circles, the total can range from a few to several dozen, depending on how closely you look:

Main eggs: Seven fried eggs are clearly visible in the pan (one in the center and six surrounding it).

Egg yolks: Seven round yellow yolks are also visible.

Egg white shapes: Each egg white forms a distinct round shape (7 circles).

Light reflections: There are small circular reflections of white light on each yolk (7 circles). Shape of the frying pan: The pan itself forms a large black circle, while its edges create additional concentric rings.

Depending on whether one counts only the eggs or all the geometric rings—and the level of detail perceived—people typically count anywhere from 7 to 28 or more circles.

2. Fun interpretation of the "narcissism" test

Although such an image cannot scientifically diagnose personality disorders, in popular psychology and online quizzes, the results are often interpreted as follows:

You counted only the 7 main eggs: You are a pragmatic person who sees the big picture without getting bogged down in details. You have no desire for excessive self-analysis or egocentrism.

You counted 14–21 circles: You are observant, attentive to detail, and possess well-developed analytical thinking skills. You like to be in control of situations and notice things that others overlook.

You counted more than 25 circles: In the context of internet memes, this is often jokingly described as "perfectionism" or a "sign of narcissism"—a tendency to view everything through a highly detailed filter focused on oneself and one's own perceptions.

3. What is narcissism really, from a scientific perspective?

It is important to emphasize that Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) or narcissistic traits cannot be diagnosed using visual puzzles. In psychology, narcissism is described as a personality trait characterized by:

An exaggerated sense of importance: A desire to be recognized, exalted, and viewed as exceptional.

A lack of empathy: Difficulty understanding and empathizing with the feelings and needs of others.

A need for recognition: A constant search for external attention and praise.

Sensitivity to criticism: Despite outward self-confidence, a fragile self-esteem that reacts sensitively to any remark.

Summary

Images asking "How many circles do you see?" are a great way to exercise your brain, hone your attention to detail, and have fun on social media. However, remember—whether you counted 7 circles or 30, it simply reflects your style of visual analysis, not a personality disorder!