This is determined by detail and relevant detail. It could be in a sound effect. It could be in the writing. It could be in the music. It could be in everything.
Emotion Got to be there.
You have to have both. You cannot trade. One can predominate over the other. If your main plot is character intensive, make sure that your minor plot is plot intensive. Purpose Crook's golden rule is that every word, every line, every scene must serve a dramatic purpose in terms of characterisation and plot development.