Most People Are Narcissists — Count the Squares and See for Yourself
At first glance, it’s just a simple image: a grid of overlapping squares. But hidden in this viral puzzle is a deeper psychological twist that’s sparking debate across social media.
It’s not just a test of visual perception — it’s being called a subtle mirror of how we think, process information, and even how self-centered we might be.
So the challenge is simple:
How many squares do you see in the image?
But what happens after you answer… is where it gets interesting.
๐ง The Puzzle: A Trick for the Eyes — and the Ego?
This classic visual challenge presents a grid of squares — usually 4x4, 5x5, or even more complex. You're asked to count all the squares in the image — not just the small ones, but larger squares made up of smaller ones too.
Most people quickly say something like “16” or “25.” But then, as they look again, they notice:
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Squares within squares
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Overlapping outlines
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Larger boxes formed by combining smaller ones
Soon, the count rises. 30… 40… sometimes even 50 or more squares.
And here’s the kicker: a surprising number of people insist their first answer was correct — even when it's not.
๐ฎ So… What Does This Have to Do With Narcissism?
Psychologists and social observers point out that this kind of test reveals more than just math skills. It exposes how people react when proven wrong or challenged.
Do you double-check your work?
Are you open to seeing things from a different perspective?
Or do you stubbornly cling to your first guess, convinced you're right?
Sound familiar?
That’s where the "narcissist" part comes in — not in the clinical sense, but in the everyday one:
People who are overconfident, rarely question themselves, and struggle to admit they might be wrong.
And guess what? A surprising number of us do just that. Hence the viral claim:
“Most people are narcissists. Count the squares.”
It’s less about diagnosing a personality disorder and more about spotting a human tendency toward ego and assumption.
๐ The True Number of Squares (Spoiler Alert)
In most versions of the image, there are 40 to 50+ squares, depending on how complex the layout is.
Here’s a breakdown of how people miss the mark:
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They only count small, individual squares.
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They overlook combinations of 2x2, 3x3, and full-grid squares.
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They don’t spot overlapping or intersecting square patterns.
Only a small percentage of people get it exactly right on the first try — and even fewer are willing to revise their answer once they’re challenged.
๐งช What It Really Tests
This isn’t just a puzzle. It’s a peek into how our minds work — and how our egos react.
It quietly tests:
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Attention to detail
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Cognitive flexibility
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Willingness to reconsider a confident answer
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Self-awareness vs. self-assuredness
And it begs the question:
Are you more interested in being right, or in discovering what’s true?
๐ฌ Final Thought: Ego vs. Awareness
In the end, it’s not really about how many squares you can count. It’s about how you respond to being wrong, how curious you are, and how willing you are to look again — not just at puzzles, but in life.
So the next time you confidently say “25” and someone says “Actually… there are 40,” ask yourself:
Are you here to prove something? Or to learn something?
And maybe — just maybe — that answer says more than your square count ever could.
Try it with friends, post your number online, and watch the debates begin. Just don’t be too sure you’re right… ๐
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