The Two Most Common Answers Explained
The riddle is designed to make people think beyond the surface.
The “Surface-Level” Answer: 2 Holes (A)
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This is the answer given by people who focus solely on the two prominent, large cut-outs shown in the visual. They take the image literally, ignoring the functional requirements of the garment.
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Interpretation: If this were a personality test, those who choose 2 might be seen as direct, literal, and focused on immediate visual evidence.
The “Critical Thinking” Answer: 7 Holes (C)
This is the number most often cited as the correct answer for this particular visual riddle and is derived by a logical inventory of necessary and visible openings:
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The large hole on the left leg (1).
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The large hole on the right leg (2).
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The opening for the left leg (3).
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The opening for the right leg (4).
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The opening for the waist (5).
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The opening for the left pocket (6).
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The opening for the right pocket (7).
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Interpretation: Those who choose 7 demonstrate analytical thinking and the ability to apply context and external knowledge (what a pair of shorts is) to the visual information.
Why the Narcissist Claim?
The claim that the answer reveals narcissism is likely a playful and attention-grabbing technique to make the puzzle go viral. The core idea behind it is often a psychological simplification:
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Literal thinkers (2 holes) might be seen as lacking deeper insight.
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Overly complicated thinkers (5 or 9 holes) might be seen as over-analyzing.
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The “correct” analytical answer (7 holes) is sometimes linked to a balanced, insightful view.
However, there is no credible psychological research linking the literal answer to this visual puzzle to the clinical definition of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) or even high levels of narcissistic traits. It’s simply a fun way to engage with the content!
🌟 Conclusion: Perception is Key
The riddle of the holed shorts is a great reminder that our perception is influenced by more than just what we see. It’s shaped by our knowledge, context, and the definitions we choose to apply. While you can relax about the narcissism diagnosis, if you answered 7 holes (C), congratulations—you successfully looked beyond the obvious and applied a holistic, critical perspective to the problem!
🤔 What number did you initially see? Would you like to try another visual riddle?
