Why These Challenges Are So Popular
The viral ‘find the girl’ puzzle and others like it speak to a greater societal trend. For people daily bombarded with fast-paced entertainment, constant social media hits, and constant distractions, there is a growing demand for challenging an active, engaged mind. The hidden image challenges provide a brief escape from all the noise of daily life-this moment to focus on, to concentrate.
These puzzles also answer our innate desire for achievement and success. The feeling of completing a problem, especially a tricky one, gives that sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s finding the girl in the photo or solving a complex riddle, these challenges provide instant gratification. They tap into the reward system of the brain and release dopamine if we solve a problem or find something hidden.
In addition, hidden image puzzles promote social activity. Most people usually share these challenges with friends and family to test their ability in finding the girl. In this digital generation of social media, sharing solutions and tips adds another layer of community involvement in the process, which makes the experience more enjoyable and cooperative. The competitive factor—be it who can find the girl first—adds excitement.
