Final answer:
Volunteering experiences vary greatly, with possibilities of feeling very rewarding to very unrewarding based on the individual's role, the impact of their work, social exchange dynamics, and level of participation within a group. It is subjective and can also be related to one's satisfaction with the organization they are volunteering for.
Step-by-step explanation:
Engaging in volunteer work can be a highly individual experience, and the level of reward or satisfaction one feels can vary greatly. For instance, someone like Javier, who volunteers at community events, may find the experience rewarding because of the positive impact he has in his community and the social networks he creates. This could translate into answering positively on a satisfaction scale. Meanwhile, working for a political campaign requires a lot of effort, including tasks like making phone calls, stuffing envelopes, and distributing literature. People may find this to be a rewarding form of participation, particularly if they are passionate about the candidate or the political process. On the other hand, if someone experiences a high level of responsibility without adequate recognition or if the costs outweigh the benefits, as suggested by social exchange theory, this could lead to a less rewarding or even unrewarding experience.
Volunteers can sometimes encounter challenges that make their experience less positive, such as when group efforts at work or school result in unequal participation but shared grades. This might lead to a response towards the 'somewhat unrewarding' end of the scale. On the matter of satisfaction at one's organization or job, questions such as how much one would recommend their organization as a good place to work, or how satisfied they are with their job and organization overall, could help gauge the level of reward felt from volunteer experiences.