Which theoretical approach is NOT typically associated with Merton's explanation of crime?

Merton's explanation of crime is most closely linked with functionalism and structuralism, which emphasize the role of societal structures and functions in influencing individual behavior, including deviance. His strain theory posits that society sets culturally approved goals and provides acceptable means to achieve those goals. When individuals encounter barriers to success, they may resort to deviance or criminal behavior.

Interactionism, while it can relate to crime through the lens of social interactions and definitions of crime, is not a primary theoretical framework that Merton's work aligns with. Interactionist perspectives focus more on the social processes of labeling and the meanings that individuals attach to their actions.

Postmodernism, on the other hand, challenges the very foundational assumptions of modern theories like Merton's, which rely on societal consensus and fixed meanings. Postmodern theoretical approaches emphasize the complexity and fluidity of social identities and realities, detaching from the structural determinism present in Merton's formulation. This positions postmodernism as the approach that does not fit within the realm of Merton's explanations of crime.