Every few months, a new online quiz takes over the internet. Whether it's "Which city fits your personality?", "What type of bread are you?", or something more personal like the Rice Purity Test, we just can't resist finding out how we are different from other people.
At first glance, these quizzes look like harmless fun. They're more like a way to kill a few minutes and maybe share a laugh with friends. But the truth is, they reveal something deeper about how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us. Behind the jokes and bright quiz graphics lies a very human need. We want to understand who we are and feel understood by others.
Why we love to measure ourselves
People have always liked measuring themselves, from school tests to personality assessments. It gives us a sense of structure in this messy world. Online quizzes just make that process visual and fun.
Unlike serious psychological tests, viral quizzes don't require long answers or deep reflection. They promise instant insight in exchange for a few clicks.
You also get a small boost of confidence when you see your result. When a quiz says you're a "creative soul" or "loyal friend," it feels good. Even if we know it's random, the labels can feel comforting. They confirm something we want to believe about ourselves.
Why the Rice Purity Test feeds our curiosity
Take the Rice Purity Test, for example - a decades-old quiz that started out on college campuses. Its recent comeback online has made people curious again about the Rice Purity Test score meaning. It's far from scientific, yet it connects with people on an emotional level.
People don't post their scores to be judged - they do it to relate to others. It's just a light, funny way of saying, "Here's me - now your turn."
That instinct to compare and connect is part of what keeps viral quizzes alive. They give people a humorous way to explore their sense of self. In an age of endless scrolling and little real talk, quizzes offer a quick path to real connection.
Sharing as self-expression
Social media has turned self-expression into performance. We don't just take quizzes - we post them. The result becomes part of our online identity, whether we believe it or not. Sharing a quiz result is like saying, "This describes me, or at least how I want you to see me."
The same thinking applies to today's dating culture as well. Platforms like SoulMatcher help people showcase who they really are - not just with profiles, but with humor and personality. It's not just about relationships; it's about finding someone who understands the "you" you present to the world.
The feel-good science behind it
Even a goofy online quiz can, according to psychologists, give us a small sense of insight and control. It's a tiny dopamine boost, like a reward for curiosity. We learn something, or at least feel like we do.
That's also why we keep coming back for more. If something like "Which meme perfectly sums up your vibe?" appears, we're already there to find out.
The results might fade, but the feeling of discovery sticks. It gives us a chance to check in with ourselves - to ask, "Is this still who I am?" in a way that feels lighthearted instead of heavy.
More than just clickbait
Of course, you shouldn't take every online quiz seriously. If a test says Chris Hemsworth is your soulmate, that doesn't mean you should start flooding his Instagram DMs. Nevertheless, these quizzes do more than just entertain us - they help us learn something new about ourselves. What's more, they have a social side. They let people have fun, share their results with friends, and even announce to the entire internet what kind of potato they are today.
Photo source: depositphotos.com
