Self-Reflection: These puzzles feel personal, prompting people to wonder what their “score” says about them.
Visual Challenge: The complexity of counting overlapping or hidden squares engages your brain in pattern recognition.
Shareability: It’s easy to post online and compare results with friends, fueling curiosity and conversation.

A Note of Skepticism

While these types of tests are entertaining, it’s important to remember they are not scientific assessments. Seeing more or fewer squares doesn’t truly diagnose personality traits or narcissism—it simply reflects how your brain processes visual information in that moment.

That said, they can be fun tools for self-reflection or conversation starters, and they reveal how unique our perceptions can be.

The Takeaway

Next time you come across a “count the squares” puzzle, enjoy it for what it is—a playful peek into perception, attention, and maybe a bit of personality. Whether you see two squares or twenty, the real insight is noticing how your mind works differently from everyone else’s.