According to an aspect, influence filtering in a graphical model includes accessing the graphical model in a data store. The graphical model includes a plurality of nodes connected by edges having edge strengths representing a degree of relation between the nodes. A target relation strength for a pair of nodes in the graphical model is received. An edge strength of an edge in a direct path between the pair of nodes is determined by traversing, in the graphical model, one or more paths other than the direct path between the pair of nodes. The determining also includes estimating a cumulative strength of the traversed paths, and calculating the edge strength for the edge in the direct path based on the cumulative strength of the traversed paths and the target relation strength. The calculated edge strength is assigned to the edge in the direct path between the two nodes.