Concrete vs abstract thinkers. Some people can only really do concrete thinking, once the rule is in place they can follow instructions happily and never feel a need for more. Abstract thinkers will always want to think about the unseen, and have a need to manipulate what does not yet exist in the concrete world. Some can create, and the rest can then think about the creation. All on a continuum, of course.
The difference seems to be the ability / willingness / enjoyment of adapting.